Constitution review: Physically challenged want 15% of elective and appointive positions

They want it included during the constitution review.

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, has urged the National Assembly to consider their memorandum on laws on disability already submitted to the constitution review committee.

In the proposed law, the disability group is demanding that at least 15 per cent of all elective and appointive positions at all levels of government be reserved for qualified and suitable physically challenged persons.

The National Chairman of JONAPWD, Rotimi Olubodede, spoke in Akure, the Ondo State Capital while addressing reporters on the preparation for the association’s 20th Anniversary of International Day for disabled persons.

He noted that such reserved positions would take into account the different type of disabilities.

He said the disability bill, if passed into law, would also guarantee employment opportunities for the physically challenged in both the government and private sectors.

Mr. Olubodede lamented the failure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, to sign the bill into laws.

“A disability bill has been forwarded to the presidents in two separate times for assent: The first attempt was to Chief Obasanjo. And the second time was to President Jonathan. None of them signed the bill into law.

“The bill is currently at the National Assembly for the third time. I use this opportunity to urge the President to sign the bill when it returns to his table,” he said.

The Chairman stressed that the association aimed to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity.

Each year, the United Nations announce a theme for International Day of People with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all”.

“Barriers can take a variety of forms, including those relating to the physical environment or to Information and Communications Technology, or those resulting from legislation or policy, or from societal attitude or discrimination.

“In order to remove the barriers in our society, I, therefore appeal to the constitutional review committee and the National Assembly to consider the memorandum to remove barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for persons with disabilities in Nigeria,” Mr. Olubodede said.