FCTA pledges support for disabilities commission

The  FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has promised to  support the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in the discharge of its responsibilities.

Bello said in a statement on Sunday that the ministry would support the commission in caring for the 31.5 million Nigerians living with disabilities.

The minister made the promise when the  commission’s  Executive Secretary, Mr James Lalu,  visited him in Abuja with other management staff.

Bello said that the FCTA would work with the commission in ensuring compliance with the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.

“The Federal Capital Territory Administration is part of the Federal Government.

“So, considering the fact that the bill on persons with disabilities has been signed by President Muhammadu Buhari I assure you that the FCT Administration will follow the procedure as quickly as possible and domesticate it here in the FCT.

“We will see specific aspects of the Act that we need to make sure we honour and follow, “he said.

Bello also informed the commission of his organisation’s effort at making Abuja an inclusive city that would cater for the needs of persons with physical challenges.

He added that the FCTA had provided pedestrian walkways for the person living with disabilities in the city.

He congratulated Lalu on his appointment as the Executive Secretary of the commission, describing it “as a square peg in a square hole.”

Earlier, Lalu commended Buhari for signing the bill into law and for the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.