The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to close public buildings that do not meet the minimum standards of accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) starting from January 17.
Dr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), disclosed this during a news briefing in Abuja on Thursday, part of the activities marking the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The announcement comes after a five-year ultimatum given to organizations to comply with accessibility laws, set to expire on January 16, 2024.
Dr Lalu emphasized the transition from advocacy to enforcement, stating that the NCPWD would engage relevant stakeholders to establish a special task force to enforce accessibility laws.
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“We would start meeting with our partners to constitute a task force immediately before this Christmas; everything will be on the ground before the end of this year,” said Dr Lalu.
The task force is expected to begin operations on January 17, focusing on physical assessments of facilities in key offices.
In addition to physical facilities, the NCPWD will assess the composition of staff in these institutions, ensuring compliance with accessibility requirements and the five percent employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.
Dr Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, affirmed the administration’s support for implementing accessibility laws.
She assured stakeholders of the government’s determination to uphold the rights and privileges of PWDs, emphasizing that effective implementation is a collective responsibility.
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