PMB Passes Disability Bill Into Law

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Discrimination Against Persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

According
to a statement by the senior special assistant National Assembly
(Senate) Ita Enang, this Act prohibits all forms of discrimination on
ground of disability and imposes fine of N1, 000, 000 for corporate
bodies and N100, 000 for individuals or a term of six months
imprisonment for violation concurrently it guarantees right to maintain
civil action for damage by the person injured against any defaulter.
He
said the bill provides for a five-year transitional period within which
public buildings, structures or automobile are to be modified to be
accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, including those
on wheelchairs.

He said the Act further provides: ‘Before
erecting any public structure, its plan shall be scrutinized by the
relevant authority to ensure that the plan conforms to the building
code.
“A government or government agency, body or individual
responsible for the approval of building plans shall not approve the
plan of a public building if the plan does not make provision for
accessibility facilities in line with the building code.

“An
officer who approves or directs the approval of a building plan that
contravenes the building code, commits an offence and is liable on
conviction to a fine of at least N1, 000, 000 or a term of imprisonment
of two years or both.’’
Enang further said discrimination is
prohibited in public transportation facilities and service providers are
to make provision for the physically, visually and hearing impaired and
all persons howsoever challenged. This applies to Seaports, Railways
and Airport facilities.

According to him, the rights and privileges include education, healthcare, priority in accommodation and emergencies.

Furthermore, he noted that all public organisations are to reserve at least 5 % of employment opportunities for these persons.

“The
National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is also established
in Section 31 with Executive Secretary as the head,” he said.

Source:- Leadershipng