Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters, Bashiru Dawodu (APC, Lagos), has said that the implementation of Nigeria’s Disability Rights Act is facing serious hurdles, adding that the law, which mandates at least 5% of job recruitment to be allocated to persons with disabilities, has not been fully embraced across all states despite its potential to significantly improve access to opportunities for the disabled community.
This is also as the Chairman called for tax exemption for Persons With Disabilities, saying such class of Nigerians should not be allowed to pay tax.
Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Persons with Disability in Abuja, Dawodu also called for tax relief for companies employing persons with disabilities or manufacturing facilities used by them.
He said even though his committee on Disability were in full support of the tax reform bills, they were conscious of the loop holes in the bills and will be presenting their position at the public hearing, adding that his committee will be moving for tax credit and waivers for companies manufacturing equipment used by PWDs.
He also said that teachers involved on special education should be encouraged through scholarship, while a disability trust fund should be put in place to take care of the interest of PWDs.
Dawodu said the 2018 Disability Act which has a five-year maritorium is not being diligently implemented by agencies of government and the private sector, adding that the House was working on amending the law to impose more stringent penalties.
He disclosed that some of the provisions of the act include creating easy access to public buildings, creating easy access into bus and rail terminal as well was easy access to education and health facilities.
The lawmaker said even after the creation of the Disability Commission, the Disability Act was yet to be domesticated in several states across the country with only 22 states so far domesticating the Act.
He said states who are yet to domesticate the law should do so in the interest of persons with disabilities living in those states, while also lamenting the poor budgetary allocation to the Disability Commission.
He argued that the allocation of about N2 billion to the Disability Commission is suggestive of how the government wants to threat persons with disabilities, saying the nation has fallen short of expectations.
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Dawodu emphasised the need for collaboration with NGOs and other organisations in advancing the course of PWDs, saying with over 35 million Nigerians living with disability, Nigeria will work better if the National Assembly works.
Director of the PWD’s Potential Unhinged Project, Valentine Ugochukwu Zion said the said the MoU covers nationwide medical access support initiative for persons with disabilities which aim to provide b support to PWDs in under served areas.
The MoU, he said, also covers talent discovery and development for PWDs within the area of creative area, a reality TV show to showcase the potential and resilience of PWDs and an inclusive musical concert.