The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has promised to probe those behind the delay in the passage of Disability Rights Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The bill is to ensure full integration of Nigerians with disabilities into the society and eliminate all forms of discrimination against them.
Saraki in a Facebook post said, โToday, ahead of my courtesy call with the Kpakpando Foundation for Physically Challenges Persons, led by its Founder and Chairman, Senator Osita Izunaso, I called the Clerk to find out about the status of the โDiscrimination Against Persons Living with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, which is also known as the Disability Rights Bill.
โI was very disappointed to learn that due to some administrative mishaps, this Bill, which passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and should have already been on the Presidentโs desk for his signature, has failed to make its way out of the National Assembly system. I have therefore directed the Clerk to query all involved.โ
Stressing the importance and fierce urgency with which the bill should be treated, he said, โmake no mistake, both the Senate and the House feel very strongly about the impact of this Bill. This is because its passage will further empower people living with disabilities (PLWDs) and ensure that they are not discriminated against in anyway.
โMoving forward, I would like to make this promise: 30 days from today, this Bill will be sent to Mr. President for his assent.
โWe will fast-track the harmonization process in both houses, because there is no doubt that once this Bill is passed, it will transform the lives of millions of Nigerians across the country, hence, the sooner that we start implementing the act, the better for all of us.โ
