TheCable

James Lalu, executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), has pleaded with stakeholders to provide coherent and orderly services for Nigeria’s disability community. 

He made the appeal in Abuja during a visit to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior.

He disclosed that NCPWD has entered into a partnership with the desk offices of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) in the 36 states of the federation.

Lalu said the partnership with NSCDC “is largely to drive home the resolve by the commission for the enforcement and compliance of the Prohibition Act and the Accessibility Standard of the commission by public institutions”.

He urged the minister to extend opportunities to other institutions under his control such as the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), as section 26 of the Act states that priority should be given to PWDs in accessing government services, such as obtaining international passport.

“The commission is desirous of enacting desk offices within the immigration service in order to achieve these goals,” Lalu said.

“And as sections 28 and 29 of the Act stipulate, 5 percent of employment opportunities should also be reserved for us in all the services of your ministry.”

In his response, the minister emphasised President Tinubu’s determination to reduce the gap between the “strong and the weak” through his Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tunji-Ojo said his ministry is willing to partner with the commission.