President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the
Discrimination Against Persons with disabilities
(Prohibition) Act, 2018.
Presidential Liaison to the National Assembly (Senate),
Senator Ita Enang, said the law prohibits all forms of
discrimination on ground of disability and imposes fine
of N1, 000, 000 for corporate bodies and N100, 000 for
individuals or a term of six months imprisonment for
violation concurrently.
A statement he signed on Wednesday added that it
also guarantees right to maintain civil action for damage
by the person injured against any defaulter.
It reads: “The Act provides for a five-year transitional
period within which public buildings, structures or
automobile are to be modified to be accessible to and
usable by persons with disabilities, including those on
wheelchairs.
“Before erecting any public structure, its plan shall be
scrutinized by the relevant authority to ensure that the
plan conforms with the building code.
“A government or government agency, body or
individual responsible for the approval of building plans
shall not approve the plan of a public building if the plan
does not make provision for accessibility facilities in line
with the building code.
“An officer who approves or directs the approval of a
building plan that contravenes the building code,
commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine
of at least N1, 000, 000 or a term of imprisonment of
two years or both.’
“Discrimination is prohibited in public transportation
facilities and service providers are to make provision for
the physically, visually and hearing impaired and all
persons howsoever challenged.
“This applies to Seaports, Railways and Airport
facilities.
The rights and privileges include education, healthcare,
priority in accommodation and emergencies.
“Furthermore, all public organisations are to reserve at
least 5 % of employment opportunities for these
persons.
“The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities
is also established in Section 31 with Executive
Secretary as the head,†Enang noted.
Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/24/buhari-signs-new-bill/
