By Asmau Ahmad
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), has urged the House of Representatives to pass its Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill (DAPDB).
The Executive Director of the organisation, Mr. David Anyaele, made the appeal in an interview with the newsmen in Lagos.
He said that without the passage of the bill, persons with disabilities would continue to suffer setbacks.
He appealed to the House of Representatives to ensure the harmonisation of the bill with the Senate before its transmission to President Mohammad Buhari for assent.
Health Reporters learnt that the Senate had on July 13 passed the DAPDB.
The bill aimed at protecting more than 25 million Nigerians living with different forms of disability against all forms of discrimination and harmful practices.
Mr. Anyaele said his organisation was pleased that the senate endorsed the bill, adding that it was hopeful that the lower house would follow suit.
He said the bill contained provisions that would ensure that people living with disabilities in Nigeria were protected against discrimination, adding that the bill provided right of access to public premises, accessibility aids at public buildings, access to road and side walk among others.
He said: “The law provided for the right to free education, right to free healthcare, prohibition of segregation, right to work and employment and provision of special communication at hospitals.
“It also has provisions for right to participation in politics, and a National Commission to address complaints of harassment, discrimination and harmful practices against persons with disabilities, among others.”
He expressed concern that the delay of the passage of the bill at the lower chamber of the National Assembly represented a challenge.
It was gathered that the bill is yet to be presented at the floor of the lower chamber for first reading.
