FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has expressed his readiness to domesticate the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, in order to ease the plight of persons with disabilities.
The minister, who made the pledge when he received in audience the management of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NCPWD, said the administration was also willing support the commission to fulfil its mandate of caring for the 31.5 million Nigerians living with disabilities.
Bello also assured that the administration will ensure the compliance of aspects of the Act concerning to the FCT.
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration is part of the federal government. So, considering fact that the Bill on Persons with Disabilities has been signed by Mr President, I assure you that the FCT Administration will follow the procedure as quickly as possible and domesticate it here in the FCT and we will see specific aspects of the Act that we need to make sure we honour and follow.”
He also informed the management of the NCPWD that efforts were being put in place to make Abuja an inclusive city that will cater for the needs of persons with physical challenges.
Bello, while congratulating the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr James Lalu, for his appointment, described it as evidence of his capacity.
Speaking earlier, Mr Lalu commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Bill and the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
He also commended the FCT Administration for the availability of good pedestrian walkways in the city.
