The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, resolved to investigate the compliance level of ministries, departments, and agencies with the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Act.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Surulere II Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Mr Lanre Okunlola.
Section 1 (1) of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities, 2018, provides that “A person with disability shall not be discriminated against on the grounds of his disability by any person or institution in any manner or circumstance.”
Sub-section 1 (a ) of the law stipulates a fine of N1m for corporate bodies while (b) provides for a fine of N100,000 for an individual or six months imprisonment or both in the event of violation.
Leading the debate on the motion titled “Need to Investigate the Compliance of Ministries, Department, and Agencies to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act, 2018,” the lawmaker noted that sections 3–8 of the Act specify that persons with disability have the right to access the physical environment and buildings on an equal basis with others.
He also argued that persons with disabilities in Nigeria face stigmatisation, discrimination, violence, and lack of access to physical structures such as transportation, health, education, housing, and other necessities of life.