The Albino Foundation Public Notice
…. Berate MDAs For Ignoring Employment Provision Of The Act
By Ruby Leo and Oliver Nweke
The chairman, House committee on disabilities, Princess Miriam Onuoha has said her committee would intensify actions to ensure the ratification and domestication of the Persons with Disability act in all states of the federation and create the necessary awareness for its enforcement.
Princess Miriam Onuoha who led her committee members on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Albino Foundation also took a swipe at MDAs who ignore provisions of the act as it relates to persons with disabilities especially when they undertake employment processes.
Onuoha described such actions as discriminatory and criminal, and calls for sanctions by the law.
According to her, the visit was occasioned following a successful training and engagement in Owerri, Imo State, two weeks ago wherein a lot of resolution and communique were reached.
Her words, “We are here to deepen that engagement, for us we will continue to push until there is a general knowledge and awareness for people. I am particularly disturbed that many Nigerians are not even aware that there is a disability act which has been signed into law 3 years ago. So this becomes a veritable platform and avenue to continue to turn out this basic information to the general public on the interment of the disability act”.
“Let the public know that discrimination against persons with disabilities is now criminal and offenders are liable to face the law. No offence is smaller than the other and as small as discrimination might sound, it is an infraction on the rights of persons with disabilities”.
“We have come to seek collaboration and support from the albino foundation, so that we can be supported to see to the domestication of the disability act in all the states”.
Speaking on the plight of persons with disabilities, Onuoha called on all Nigerians to join hands with the committee to uplift the lives of this special group saying, “I call on all Nigerians to join hands with us, ministries, departments and agencies should respect and obey basic provisions of the disability act which provides that no MDAs should recruit or replace personnel or employ, or do recruitment without the inclusion of at least 5% of persons with disabilities”.
According to her the community of disabilities have doctors, professors, men and women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers, “so leaving them to lay fallow becomes a burden on the society, wherein qualified persons with disabilities are not allowed to contribute their own quota to national development”.
Earlier the Chief Executive Officer of the Albino Foundation, Mr Jakes Epelle who commended the committee for its bold step in paying them a courtesy visit to identify with their plight assured that they would be partners in the next phase of the European Union Project.
He added that the community of persons with disabilities are assured of the commitment and support of the committee of disabilities to ensure that their status in society is uplifted.
Epelle who said that the Albino Foundation is interested in legislation and governance urged the committee to work with them to serve the needs of persons with disabilities.
The President of Lawyers with disabilities, Mr Daniel Amechi Onwe noted that the visit is revolutionary and commendable.
He said, “this is indicating of the fact that this committee is indeed dedicated to enhance the well being of persons with disabilities, and am delighted with the objective that was lined up, as these are actually key to lives, well being and survival of persons with disabilities”.
“yes we have a legislation and it should be implemented at the national level and getting it domesticated at the respective state level and identify relevant laws that make provision for persons with disabilities that are not brought to the spot light.”
