Reps pass bill seeking 20% of FG jobs for the disabled

The house of representatives has passed a bill seeking to secure 20 percent of federal government jobs for physically- challenged Nigerians.

The lower legislative chamber passed the “Bill for an act to provide that 20 percent of jobs available in all federal government ministries, departments, agencies and companies be distributed among the physically challenged in Nigeria; and for related matters” during Thursday’s plenary session.

There are at least 25 million Nigerians living with one form of disability or another, according to the World Health Organisation.

The bill, sponsored by Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker, seeks to consolidate on the provisions of the disability rights bill earlier signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It mandates all MDAs to ensure the disabled gets up to 20 percent of jobs in their parastatals or be fined N500,000 or risk one year jail term upon conviction.

The bill kicks against any person “who performs any act or does anything or refuses, fails and or neglected to carry out his lawful duties with the intention to frustrate the implementation of the legislation.”

Part of its provisions states: “Upon the commencement of this Act, all federal government MDAS and companies shall submit yearly reports not later than the first quarter of every year to the National Assembly containing details of all employments including details of the physically challenged persons employed in the previous year.”

It also provides that the national assembly shall within three weeks of the receipt of the reports consider same and if not satisfied with the reports, pass appropriate resolutions that will ensure full compliance with the provisions of the act and such resolution(s) shall be implemented by the president.

“In giving effect to the provisions of the Act, all MDAs and companies to which the Act apply, shall provide relevant facilities to ease ingress (entry) and egress (exit) of the physically challenged in the workplace.”