President Muhammadu Buhari has
signed a bill protecting persons with disabilities into law.
Ita Enang, senior special
assistant to the president on national assembly matters (senate), said this in
a statement released on Wednesday.
The development is coming about a
week after the president said he had not seen the bill.
Enang said the law provides for
fines and jail terms for persons or corporate bodies discriminating against
persons with disabilities.
“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,” he said.
“It guarantees right to maintain
civil action for damage by the person injured against any defaulter.
“It 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.”
Enang said the law also provides
for the establishment a commission for persons with disabilities.
‘’Before erecting any public
structure, its plan shall be scrutinised by the relevant authority to ensure
that the plan conforms with the building code,” he said.
“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.’
“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.
“The rights and privileges
include education, healthcare, priority in accommodation and emergencies.
Furthermore, all public organisations are to reserve at least five percent of
employment opportunities for these persons.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com