FG reaffirms commitment to promote disability employment, inclusivity

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities as it is working to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to equal opportunities in education, employment, and social participation.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, while reiterating this at a Public Hearing on Access to Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria in Abuja, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is passionate about people living with disabilities, and the government is committed to creating an inclusive society where everyone has access to opportunities.

The public hearing was organized by the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities(JONAPWD) with the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

Onyejeocha noted that the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has been established to coordinate and implement activities that guarantee the full inclusion of persons with disabilities into society.

She also stressed the importance of creating opportunities for persons with disabilities, noting that the government need to make sure that everybody has access to opportunities, and the Federal Government is committed to making that happen.

“The government’s efforts to promote inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are a step in the right direction.

“However, more needs to be done to address the systemic barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from accessing education, employment, and social participation.

“One of the key challenges facing persons with disabilities in Nigeria is the lack of accessibility in public buildings and transportation.

“This can make it difficult for persons with disabilities to access employment opportunities, education, and healthcare.

“The government is working to address this challenge by implementing accessibility standards in public buildings and transportation.

In addition to addressing accessibility challenges, the government is also working to promote inclusive education and employment practices.

“This includes providing training and resources for employers to support the recruitment and retention of persons with disabilities.

“The private sector also has a critical role to play in promoting inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

“Companies can take steps to make their workplaces more accessible and inclusive, such as providing accommodations for employees with disabilities and promoting disability awareness and training.”

Earlier, the Coordinator of Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) Contract Staff, Nwosu Iheanyi Justice, called on NDDC to review and regularize the employment status of individuals with disabilities who are currently employed on a contract basis.

He raised concerns that they were employed as contract staff despite a presidential directive that the NDDC should employ at least one person with a disability from each of the nine Niger Delta states.

We have made efforts to get the management and board of the NDDC to convert their contract appointments to permanent ones but to no avail.

“The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has been established to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

“The commission’s mandate includes coordinating and implementing activities that guarantee full inclusion of persons with disabilities into society.

“However, despite the existence of this commission, persons with disabilities still face discrimination and exclusion in various sectors, including employment.

“We are seeking the intervention of the National Assembly to direct the NDDC to convert our contract appointments to permanent ones.

“NDDC is an intervention agency established to improve the lives of people in the Niger Delta region, and therefore, should prioritize the employment and well-being of persons with disabilities in the region.”

The call for the NDDC to employ persons with disabilities permanently is in line with the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

This law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and promotes their inclusion in all sectors of society.