The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has called on the federal government to ensure the full implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

The national president of JONAPWD, Abdullahi Usman, made the call while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the inauguration of an accessible toilet facility and corridor rails for persons with disabilities at LEA Primary School, Karomajiji Community, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Mr Usman said that although the law was enacted in 2018, its implementation had remained poor across the country.

“Implementation is the major challenge. That is why we continue to advocate that all government agencies comply with the law.

“It is no longer the responsibility of the National Assembly because the law has already been signed. Our biggest challenge is that many ministries, departments and agencies are yet to fully comply with its provisions.

“We are therefore calling on all ministers, permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries and heads of agencies to ensure full compliance with the law.

“This is necessary so that persons with disabilities in this country can enjoy the same fundamental human rights as persons without disabilities,” he said.

Mr Usman said the project, implemented in Plateau, Osun, Oyo, Edo, Sokoto states and the FCT, was supported by the Ford Foundation.

According to him, the initiative aims to improve accessibility and ensure that persons with disabilities can move safely and independently within school facilities.

He urged governments at all levels to replicate the project in schools nationwide to promote inclusive education.

“The essence of this project is to demonstrate that inclusion is possible. We are calling on the government at all levels to pay attention to the needs of persons with disabilities.

“For instance, we are here in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where there are many schools. This is just one example.

“We are calling on the AMAC Chairman to replicate this project in all schools within the council so that they become inclusive schools where persons with disabilities can access quality education without barriers,” he said.

The acting headmaster of the school, Shaibu Ahmed, said no fewer than 250 pupils would benefit from the project.

Mr Ahmed commended the JONAPWD and the Ford Foundation for the intervention and urged other well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to support similar initiatives.

“On behalf of the management, staff and pupils of this school, I sincerely thank the donors for this remarkable project.

“It is like a dream come true. We have had people express interest in supporting us in the past, but nothing came out of it. This intervention has exceeded our expectations.

“We still have other pressing needs. Our school gate is damaged, many classroom windows are broken, and we lack adequate desks for our pupils.

“We appeal to individuals and organisations to come to our aid, just as the JONAPWD and its partners have done,” he said.

(NAN)