Kehinde Fajobi
The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Julius Ihonvbere, has criticised the failure of public and private sectors to implement the Prohibition Against Persons With Disabilities Act.
Speaking at a public hearing by the House Committee on Disability Matters in Abuja on Monday, Ihonvbere expressed frustration that, despite the Act being signed into law in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, it remains largely ignored.
“Many Nigerians, including heads of government agencies, believe this Act is a mere joke,” Ihonvbere remarked, adding that the lack of recognition for persons with disabilities undermines their contributions to national development. He noted that the National Orientation Agency is only now starting to raise awareness of the law’s importance.
Citing a World Health Organization report, Ihonvbere highlighted that Nigeria is home to about 20 million of the world’s 195 million people with disabilities, representing 3.9% of the global total. He warned that unless drastic action is taken, the Act will remain unimplemented.
“Not even 5 per cent since 2018 has been achieved in trying to implement this Act,” he lamented.
Ihonvbere stressed the ease with which buildings could be adjusted for accessibility and criticised the lack of will to do so.
“If you think that the law is strong in Nigeria, travel abroad. If you park in a space for persons with disabilities without the tag, someone will call the police,” he noted.
He further called for an amendment to the Act to impose significant fines: N10 million for corporate violators and N2 million for individuals, alongside a one-year jail term.
“Even in our public transportation, there is no consideration. What kind of people have we become?” he questioned.
Ihonvbere condemned the attitude of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), noting their failure to implement the Act. He referenced Section 2 of the law, which mandates the promotion of awareness about the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities.
“Yet, MDAs have yet to implement the Act even at this moment as we speak,” he said, warning that continued neglect would harm Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.
The Chairman of the Committee, Bashiru Dawodu, echoed these concerns, stating that the hearing aimed to gather input from the disability community on the law’s implementation.