SERVICOM works toward implementation of Disabilities Act in MDAs

The National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli has said that her office was working hard to fast-track the implementation of Disabilities Act in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

Akajemeli disclosed this in an interview with our reporter in Abuja on Wednesday.

She said Persons with Disabilities had full constitutional right to Service Delivery, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Disability Bill was an affirmation of that right.

“In a related development, we are working very hard to see that the SERVICOM office fast tracks the implementation of provision for Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 recently passed into law by the Federal Government.

“On Jan. 23, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the bill following nine years of relentless advocacy by disability rights groups and activists.

“The Office intends to achieve this by training staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on necessary adjustments they need to make on their service delivery processes to ensure that physically challenged persons have equal opportunities to access public services,” she said

The coordinator, however, said her office would ensure that standards were followed in MDAs in order to give persons with disabilities equal access to public services.

She reassured Nigerians of SERVICOM’s continued stride that would make citizens better appreciate what the government was doing through the MDAs.

According to her, by the law, organisations are required to provide friendly environments with amenities, such as ramps, elevators, braille among others, to make access to service points easier by persons with disabilities.

“In line with the mandate of SERVICOM Institute, staff of MDAs will be trained to fulfil their roles in ensuring that service givers in MDAs are better positioned to make necessary adjustments in their service delivery process ” she said.

The coordinator said she recently visited the State House Permanent Secretary, Mr Jalal Arabi and discussed efforts aimed at ensuring a Presidential endorsement for the SERVICOM Initiative in the second tenure of the president.

She said the agency also solicited continued support for the service delivery programme of the Federal Government.

“We pray that under the leadership of Buhari Nigeria will experience the Next Level of good governance where citizen focused service delivery is the norm and expectation of all Nigerians,” she said.