Exclusion of PWDs is economic sabotage, says Ben Kalu

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, says the parliament views the exclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) as an economic sabotage.

Kalu spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at the policy forum advancing workplace inclusion for PWDs, organised by the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation in partnership with the Australian high commission, Irede Foundation, Christian Aid, Inclusive Friends, and Ceder Seed Foundation, among others.

Kalu said the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, enacted in 2018 to guarantee the rights of PWDs, has been ineffective.

“We are gathered here today, seven years after that Act was signed, because the reality in our workplaces does not yet match the promise of our laws,” he said.

“The 10th house of representatives views the economic exclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) not just as a human rights violation, but as economic sabotage.

“We cannot realistically aim to grow Nigeria’s GDP or build a resilient economy while systematically locking out millions of capable, driven, and valuable citizens from the workforce.

“My stance, and the stance of the house leadership, remains consistent: the five percent employment quota mandated for public institutions is a national imperative. It is a statutory obligation. We are moving from the era of advocacy to the era of oversight.”

Kalu said the house committee on disability matters, led by Bashiru Dawodu, must ensure that the recruitment in ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) does not exclude PWDs.

Amara Nwakpa, director-general of the Yar’Adua Foundation, said the event was organised to advocate for the rights of PWDs across all sectors.

“And the message is very simple: we should make more room as organisations,” Nwakpa said.

“They are not the ones who need to learn. It is we as organisations in Nigeria that need to learn how to be inclusive and to be inclusive with purpose.

“I think now we don’t need to pass any other law. We already have one. What we need to do is to implement the law that we have.

“Not just the letter of the law, which speaks to public organisations specifically, but also the spirit of the law.

“I think non-government organisations, as well as private sector organisations, also need to follow the intent of the law to make sure that we are encouraging and including persons with disabilities in our workforce.”