Yemisi Izuora.
The Center for Citizens With Disabilities, CCD, has expressed concern over the state of public conveniences in public buildings across the state.
The CCD is particularly worried that the facilities are not constructed in line with provisions as stipulated by the Lagos state legislation on People with Disabilities.
Executive director of the Center Mr. David Anyaele, who made the observation while addressing the media on the outcome of the Centre’s survey to ascertain the level of access to toilet facilities in public buildings for Persons with Disabilities disclosed that the survey outcomes showed that much should be done to reflect governments genuine positions on the issue.
Anyaele said the research was conducted in Ifako-Ijaye and Alimosho Local,government areas of the state where 47 toilet facilities spread among the local government areas were reviewed.
He said the report showed that there were no separate toilets for the physically challenged persons, and there were also no elevators or lifts with voice calls neither are there attendants for such people.
The ED said the report showed there were no directional signs and there are absence of facility guides in some of the places visited.
He therefore harped on the need for improved sanitation for People With Disabilities in the state if the country is serious to deal with various strange diseases like Monkeypox linked to poor sanitation.
He cited various international treaties and national laws that make adequate provisions for access for People With Disabilities to include, Article 9:1 of the UN Convention on the rights of Persons With Disabilities and Optional Protocol sections 24 and 25 (5) of the Lagos state Special People’s Law, sections 4 and 5 Of part 3 the 2016 pending disability Bill among others.
He called on the state governor to direct relevant agencies of government to conduct audit of all toilet facilities in public places in the state to ensure they are accessible to physically challenge persons.