FG Mandate 5% employment of PWDs into Ministries and departments across the country
The Federal government has ordered Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government across the country to employ five percent of their workforces from among persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the 1st National Disability Summit organized by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, on Thursday in Abuja, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, said that the employment of People with disabilities would give them the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, at the summit, stated that her ministry has always included people with disabilities in its social intervention programmes, adding that the ministry has facilitated the development of sign language dictionary to enable easy communication among such Nigerian citizens
According to the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities and Special Needs, Mirriam Onuoha, the Federal Government has also Mandated airlines and airports operators to establish disability desks in their stations to enable easy traveling for persons with disabilities.
She added that the Central Bank of Nigeria has been mandated to initiate a policy that would enable easy access to banking services by persons with disabilities across the country.
The Chairman of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Suleiman Kangiwa, appreciated president Muhammadu Buhari, who signed the person with Disabilities Act, and established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, which he said has helped to carter to the needs of Persons With Disabilities.
Umar Aligoro, Chairman Gombe Chapter of the Joint Association of People With Disabilities called on the federal government to make more fund available to them to enable some of their members to go into businesses.
The 1st National Disability Summit which was organized to commemorate the World Day Of Persons With Disabilities also featured the launch of National Commission For Persons With Disabilities Website, Disability Discrimination Report System Software, the Nigeria Sign Language Dictionary, 5 Years’ National Disability Strategic Plan, National Disability Certificate and Launch Of National Disability Insurance Scheme for 600 Beneficiaries.
