The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. James David Lalu has called on the Federal House of Representatives’ Committee on Disabilities to employ its constitutional rights towards increasing the funding of disability projects through the various constituencies spread across the 774 local governments of Nigeria.
The ES made this call, during the familiarization visit of the House Committee to the Head office of the Commission in Abuja.
In his address, Lalu reiterated that successive governments had tactically shunned disability-related matters, claiming that funding had been the major constraints.
The ES, as well, underpinned that the enormity of interventions needed in the disability community is so huge that it requires all hands to be on deck.
He further gave an overview of the achievements of the Commission since inception and pointed out the significance of building a model of universal accessibility facility at the Headquarters of the Commission.
The Commission’s Boss, similarly, mentioned that the International labor Organization (ILO) in 2016 reported that 43.3% of the youths in Nigeria are unemployed, laying emphasis on the minimum 5% employment quota for Persons with disabilities in all MDAs.
He, therefore, called on relevant Agencies in Nigeria to get prepared for the public hearing before the final ratification of Accessibility Standard Code launch.
On the other hand, the Chairman House Committee on disabilities, Hon. Dr. Bashir Daodu alluded to the importance of increased funding for disability inclusive projects across the country.
Daodu cited section 4 of the Nigerian constitution which dwells on the oversight functions of the legislature on various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, ensuring their compliance with their mandates.
A member representing the Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte Federal Constituency of Imo state, Hon. Emeka Chinedu also affirmed that the overwhelming population of persons with disabilities in Nigeria requires adequate funding.
He, therefore, advocated for the establishment of a Disability Trust Fund which he said will help cater for over 35 million persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
