NASS assures speedy passage of Disability Bill

The National Assembly (NASS) has expressed its commitment to speedy passage of the Nigeria Disability Right Bill that would protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

Sen. John Enoh (PDP-Cross Rivers) gave the assurance while addressing women with disabilities on Wednesday in Abuja.

“I assure you on behalf of the Nigerian Senate that we will do everything possible with regard to every matter that has to do with protection and promote the interest of all those who are disabled whether women or men.

“We are aware that there is ability in disability so the Senate will not shy away from every act of legislation geared to support the welfare and general wellbeing of this group of persons in the society.

“We will do everything possible in order to be able to create a better environment for all disabled persons in the society and clear all sort of discrimination that may be affecting them.

“We assure you that we will continue to support everything that needed to be done to create a better society for persons with disabilities,’’ he said.

Newsverge reports that persons with disabilities led by Cedar Seed Foundation, an NGO, organised a road walk to commemorate the International Women’s Day.

The day is marked on March 8 annually and this year’s theme is “Be bold for change’’.

It was also aimed at pressing home their demands with regard to quick passage of the disability bill as well as non-inclusion of persons with disabilities on government policies.

Speaking earlier, Ms Lois Auta, Founder of the NGO, said the objective of the walk included the creation of awareness and to ask for the Nigerian Disability Right to be implemented.

Auta, who noted that the bill was last passed by the Senate in July last year, added that till date nothing was heard about it.

However, she said that the passage of the bill would guarantee the protection of right of persons with disabilities in all sphere of life and address the challenges currently faced by this group of persons in the society.

Auta identified some of their challenges to include lack of interpreter, non-accessibility of public buildings and discrimination in terms of job opportunities, among others.

She reaffirmed that passage of this bill would ensure that adequate penalties were meted to those who violated the rights of this populace sexually or otherwise across the country.