Yemisi Izuora
The Executive Director of Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) David Anyaele has faulted some provisions of the 2016 national budget saying that it did not make adequate provision to cater for People Living With Disabilities (PLWD).
At a press briefing in Lagos, Anyaele said “a thorough perusal of the national budget and state government budgets shows that little or nothing has been appropriated for the rehabilitation and integration of Nigerians with Disabilities.
A thorough study of the 2016 budget of Federal Line, Ministries, Department and Agencies responsible for the attainment of National Rehabilitation Policy goals for the rehabilitation of Nigerians with disabilities shows that little or nothing have been budgeted for Nigerians with disabilities”.
Anyaele drew governments attention to Articles 16 and 18 of African Charter on Human and People’s Rights which is encapsulated in Cap.10 law of the Federation of Nigeria LFN1990 which confers the right to enjoy the best attainable state of physical and mental health as well as the right to special measures of protection in keeping with huma physical or moral needs.
He also cited Article 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which Nigeria has signed and ratified, including its Optional Protocols which calls on states, parties to rcognize the right of Persons with Disabilities to social protection and to the enjoyment of that right without discrimination on the basis of disability and shall take appropriate steps to safeguard and promote the realisation of this rights.
The group therefore called on the leadership of states and National Assembly on education, health, labour and productivity to demand for provision for Nigerians with disability in the 2016 budget to benefit from special education, health and employment, among other demands.