We Will Begins Enforcement Of Disability Act Next Year – FG

The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) has revealed that it would begin the enforcement of the Disability Rights Act starting from January.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, James Lalu, disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.

He noted that the enforcement would eradicate discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for every citizen, irrespective of their physical or mental abilities.

Lalu said a task force would be put in place to ensure that the provisions of the act are fully enforced.

The Disability Rights Act was passed by the National Assembly in January 2019, after several years of advocacy by disability rights activists.

The Act covers a wide array of rights, including the prohibition of discrimination against persons with disabilities in various sectors, such as education, employment, healthcare, and public transportation, but the legislation has not been fully enforced until now.

The Executive Secretary said the Federal Government was committed to promoting inclusivity, equal access, and social justice for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

He said: “When you look at the provision of the discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibition act, there is a lot in that law. The PWD community carefully sent them to develop that law and it has passed many years of struggle to where we are today.

“Having done that, the commission has been established and given the full responsibility for the enforcement of the provisions. Today they have stated that the low five years was even now in the five years surrounding. We are now transiting from the era of advocacy to an era of enforcement.

“The era of enforcement is here and by January, the commission is expected to move out in full force to make sure that the provisions of the law are properly enforced.

“The commission will start meeting with its own partners and compose the task force immediately before this Christmas. Everything will be on the ground before the roundup of this year so that as we come in early next year, the task force will be inaugurated and immediately after by the time on 16th of January 2024 will be the expiration date then by 12 midnight after 17th of January, the Commission and task force will move out in full force.”