Amah A. Amah
Today, Thursday, 12th December, 2024, airlines, architects, as well as other stakeholders and MDAs of Government were on hand to have a robust engagement session with the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Setting the agenda straight, the Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters, Hon. Dr. Bashiru Dawodu, stated that the Committee sees disability as a very important, serious and sensitive area in the country that should be given adequate attention. This, he said is because, it is not difficult to become person with disability (PWD).
Speaking from his vantage position as a medical doctor, Dr. Dawodu averred that sudden accident can make an able-bodied person to become a PWD. Stroke, diabetes, poorly managed pregnancy and other medical condition that he listed could all lead to disabilities. He therefore stressed the need to comply with the Act.
According to the Chairman, the Disabilities Act had been enacted with a moratorium of 5 years for implementation and enforcement that elapsed last January. He, therefore emphasized that the Committee has decided to start active implementation through stakeholders’ engagement, as a way to ensure that the law sinks down seamlessly. He disclosed that the Committee is focused on the issue of access, especially to public buildings and arenas.
In their presentation, the Nigerian Institute of Architects stated that they support the Act on Disability Matters and always ensure designs that comply with the Act, especially on access. He asked the House committee to empower the architects to have presence during design, as well as construction, certifying quality of equipment and materials as the lead inspector of constructions.
Arch. Okparaji, Assistant Director Housing – Public Buildings, Federal Capital Development Area (FCDA) corroborated the Institute’s position and disclosed that his Authority has done a lot in the area of accessibility to PWDs to buildings and other areas. He suggested that accessibility to PWDs should be made compulsory on all structures and not public places alone.