The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Wednesday restated his commitment to ensuring the welfare and protection of persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) in Nigeria.
Speaker Abbas made this assurance in Abuja during an interactive session with the management of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), led by Hon. Ayuba Gutwan.
The Speaker noted that since the passage of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in 2018, there has been notable progress in the affairs of PLWDs in Nigeria.
This progress includes the establishment of the NCPWD, increased public awareness, and efforts to make essential services more accessible.
“For instance, sectors like banking are now engaging in accessibility reforms to ensure that persons with disabilities have better access to services.
“However, challenges remain, particularly regarding full implementation. Barriers such as limited public awareness, inadequate funding, and inaccessible public infrastructure still hinder the realization of the Act’s full potential,” the Speaker noted.
Speaker Abbas emphasized that the House is committed to addressing these challenges by strengthening oversight, ensuring better representation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes, and advocating for increased budgetary allocations to support accessibility initiatives.
He added that these efforts will complement ongoing legislative work, such as retrofitting facilities to meet accessibility standards.
The Speaker stated: “Moving forward, collaboration remains essential. I encourage you to provide detailed recommendations on how legislative action and oversight can accelerate the full implementation of this Act.
“We also recognize the need for improved data collection to guide policy and enhance the effectiveness of disability-related initiatives.
