From Kalu Eziyi, Umuahia
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JNAPWDs), Abia state chapter, yesterday said votes of the association’s 23 million members across the country can determine the outcome of the 2019 general election.
The chairman of the association, Mr. Stanley Onyebuchi stated this at a protest against the delay in passing the Nigeria Disability Bill 2018 into law at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat, Umuahia, the state capital.
“With our large number of registered voters, we have the capacity to vote out or vote in a party in the election,” he said, adding that all the people concerned with passing the bill should do all that is necessary to make it possible.
He expressed worry that the bill suffered a serious set back after President Muhammadu Buhari refused to assent to it and sent it back to the National Assembly for amendment, adding that since then the piece of legislation has got stuck.
“We are here to appeal to the National Assembly to look into the bill and effect the amendments as he requested so that he could sign it into law,” he said, adding that the absence of the law was adversely affecting the lives of the members.
“Passing the Nigeria Disability Bill into law and Mr. President giving his assent to it is the greatest gift this nation can give to our over 23 million members,” the chairman emphasized.
According to Onyebuchi, it was disheartening that the members were yet to arrive at their destination in a journey, which started over 14 years ago when the bill was first presented to the National Assembly.
Responding, the Special Assistant to the governor on Disability, Elder Urasi Eze said it was time the country followed the foot steps of others like Benin Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Brazil, among others, where their counterparts are given pride of place and their rights protected.
The bill among other futures provides for criminalization of any form of discrimination against Peoples With Disabilities (PWDs), making provision for accessibility to public buildings and related facilities, and provision of adequate standard of living.
