The two chambers of the National Assembly have prescribed a six-month jail term, among other punishments, for anyone or groups of people who are caught using a disabled person to beg for alms in public.

The punishment was among other provisions contained in the harmonised bill, jointly passed by the Senate and House of Representatives last week, which is currently being fine-tuned for presentation to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The bill specifically seeks to ensure full integration of persons with disabilities into the society and to establish a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, to be headed by a physically challenged person as chairman.

A copy of the harmonized version of the bill was distributed to reporters on Thursday showed that anyone or group of people who employ or involve a disabled person in alms begging risked either a six – month imprisonment, a fine of N100,000, or both.

The bill, also forbids anyone from segregating or isolating people with disabilities except strictly on health grounds or in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria.

Part 9, Clause 21 of the bill states that, “Except on medical grounds, or in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a person with disability shall not be isolated or segregated from the community or compelled to live in a particular area.”

The bill also made it mandatory for all public schools, whether primary, secondary or tertiary to have trained personnel and special facilities for the effective education of persons with disabilities in order to make education accessible to them.

It added that “Braille, sign language and other skills for communicating with persons with disabilities shall form part of the curricula of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.”

The bill, apart from prescribing free education at all levels for the disabled, also provides for government to ensure that all persons with disabilities enjoy free health care services, employment, accommodation and equal access to all social amenities.

I have mixed feelings about this.

About time...

I support this 101%

cnario:
I have mixed feelings about this.

Mixed feelings? Are you sure you have any feeling about this at all?

Bills, Bills, Bills, this country keeps dropping bills with [size=15pt]0[/size] enforcement, which makes it destined to fail.

Bill to ban Hawking - Yet today, I saw hawkers.

Bill for traffic regulations - Yet today and everyday on the road, motorist are allowed to take a 3 lane road and turn it into a 6 lane road. Danfos and other crazy motorists are switching lanes recklessly like it's going out of style.

Bill to ban public urination - Yet today, niccas were all over town screaming "Young Mula Baby" as they channeled their inner Wizzy.

What then becomes the point of a Bill, if the general public are just gonna wipe their a-s-ses with it?

In as much as these set of beggars are constituting a nuisance in the society, I still have mixed feelings about this. Okay, you ban them from begging, will you cater for them as you promised ?...They also have needs, just like you have bills to pass; they have bills to pay, Not just making empty promises.

SeverusSnape:
In as much as these set of beggars are constituting a nuisance in the society, I still have mixed feelings about this. Okay, you ban them from begging, will you cater for them as you promised ?...They also have needs, just like you have bills to pass; they have bills to pay, Not just making empty promises.

I love your construct. I appreciate soundness. I will keep an eye on this new nairalander.

I DON'T SUPPORT THIS AT ALL

soe:
I love your construct. I appreciate soundness. I will keep an eye on this new nairalander.

Thanks Boss!

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