The presidency has urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the disability bill before it.


This was disclosed by the secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, in his key note address at the celebration of the international day of persons with disabilities yesterday in Abuja.

He announced that the bill on discrimination against persons with disabilities is presently before the National Assembly and the President is earnestly awaiting the passage and transmission for his assent.


“We urge the National Assembly to expedite action on it. It is hoped that when this Bill is passed into law, people living with disabilities will have their rightful place in the society,” he said.

He lamented that it is a global fact that persons with disabilities face enormous challenges in their day-to-day activities.

According to him, these challenges are often in the form of barriers that many of us take for granted saying less than 10% of published materials are accessible to blind and visually impaired persons around the world.

The SGF recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2017 signed the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled.


He explained that the treaty will make it easier for the print disabled in Nigeria, including blind, visually impaired persons, dyslexics, to access millions of books in Nigeria and from other parts of the world.


In furtherance of this administration’s policy of inclusiveness and equality, he noted that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is already addressing the special needs of persons with disabilities to ensure equal opportunity in their quest for tertiary education.


This again, according to him is an affirmation of government’s commitment to empowerment, inclusiveness and equality for all persons.

“Finally, as we approach the forthcoming general election, I wish to specially appeal to every citizen to eschew bitterness and rancour. In the spirit of inclusion, special attention should be given to persons with disabilities to make the voting process less cumbersome for them.


“Government has restated its unwavering commitment to a free and fair election. It is our duty as Nigerians to ensure that we perform our civic duties by voting under an atmosphere of peace and tranquility,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/presidency-urges-nass-to-expedite.html