FG to set up disability desks in MDAs

The Federal Government says in order to meet the needs of Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must set up disability desks and assign officials to staff them.

This was said during a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Mohammed Isa, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Disability Matters.

In addition, he pledged to see to it that inclusive policies and a supportive environment for people with disabilities were developed.

He added that his office would engage relevant stakeholders on the amendment of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

He said that the office would also work toward evolving mechanisms for the amendment of the Act to comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to remedy the various defects in the law.

He said, “I will immediately engage the various authorities responsible for Federal Government palliative initiatives to include PWDs, particularly to ensure the setting aside of quota for them.

“In conjunction with the NCPWD, I will liaise with the Ministry of Transport to immediately put in place the process of formulating policies on transportation for PWDs as movement is crucial and the fulcrum for participation.

“I will also engage the humanitarian and poverty alleviation agency for the inclusion of PWDs to temporarily grant them reliefs and ultimately to pull them out of poverty.”