The Albino Foundation Public Notice
The Honourable Minister of Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has advocated for the gainful employment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in both the public and private sectors in the country.
The Honourable Minister made the call during a one-day north Central Zonal Town Hall Meeting organized by National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in Nasarawa State. The Honourable Minister who was represented by Mr Sunday Hezekiah, Deputy Director in the ministry called on all MDAs to adhere to the provision of section 28 and 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition Act 2018 which stipulate that PWDs shall access to gainful employment. The Act stipulates that 5% employment quota shall be reserved for PWDs.
She said “in line with Section 28 and 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act, 2018 which emphasize on the Rights of PWDS to work on an equal basis with others and this includes the right to opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open.
“Nominal damages to be paid to the affected PWDs by those who deny them such opportunities ranging from N50,000, N250,000 to N500,000 respectively.
“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Therefore, I advise all MDAs and the private sector to be mindful of these provisions in the Disability Act, 2018. The Act also emphasizes that “all employers of labour in the public organizations shall have PWDs constituting at least 5% of their employment”.
Dr. Betta Edu explained that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation as the custodian of all issues relating and affecting PWDs in Nigeria and also the supervisory Authority on the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) through the Department of Special Needs embarks on a lot of programmes and activities for PWDs such as purchase and distribution of Assistive devices/mobility Aids and appliances, empowerment tools such as tailoring machines, grinding machines, white canes /guide canes, clutches, braille machines, fridges, hairdryers, walking sticks, financial empowerment and assistance etc to PWDs in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary, NCPWD James Lalu, spoke on the objective of the town hall meeting.
It is important for stakeholders to be informed of the provisions of the Disability Act concerning the rights of PWDs, especially as it affect employment and empowerment of PWDs in Nigeria.
Mr Lalu said “as part of the mandate of the commission, we work to ensure the enforcement of the constitutional provisions which recognizes the fact that people with disability have right to decent and gainful employment.
“Section 29 stipulates that 5% of the entire workforce of public organisations should be reserved for PWDs..
“So, the essence of this town hall meeting is to track, monitor and ensure that section of the Act are complied with by the public organisations,” he said.
the ES, NCPWD lament the non adherence to the provision of the law with respect to the 5% employment of PWDs, stating that such MDAs hide behind the gise replacement and deny PWDs the right to gainful employment.
