CISLAC Calls For Increased Budgetary Allocation For Persons With Disabilities
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Federal Government to prioritize the needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs) by significantly increasing their budgetary allocation.
Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani), who made the called in a statement on Thursday said, this was necessary to address the serious socio-economic challenges faced by PWDs and ensure their full participation in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political landscape.
“One key area that the government should give a priority to especially with the current economic realities is the increase in the budgetary allocation of the PWDs. Despite the passage of the 2024 appropriation bill, we urge the government to increase the budget of the PWDs drawing from the contingency funds allocated in case of unforeseen circumstances”, he said.
CISLAC urged the Nigerian government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the rights and well-being of PWDs by increasing the budget allocation for disability-inclusive programs.
It also called on the government to ensure that persons living with disabilities are not discriminated against because despite the existence of the Disability discrimination Act 2018, there is still a serious discrimination of the PWDs.
While stating that no nation rises above the education of its most vulnerable members of the society, CISLAC noted that there is need to invest in special education programs such as vocational trainings, inclusive schools, workplaces, businesses and skills acquisition trainings, workshops and seminars to equip PWDs with the skills needed for gainful employment.
It advised that Increase in the budgetary allocation for PWDs to cater for adequate health care facilities/ services are paramount because of the serious health challenges being faced by persons living with disabilities which is making it more difficult for them to have better health, adding to the already existing physical challenges they are dealing with.
It further urged the federal government to increase the budgetary allocation for building infrastructures that is accessible to the persons living with disabilities and to also enforce the already existing laws that punishes/sanctions violators of such important provisions, saying that the development of public infrastructure that is accessible to all people regardless of abilities is significant, and these include government buildings, private buildings, bus stops, banks, car parks, parks, hotels, hospitals and all public building infrastructure, transportations, and information and communication technologies.
The Centre, however, reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights of PWDs and urged all stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, media, youth and women groups and organizations to join hands in promoting an inclusive society where every Nigerian, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and contribute to national development.
