Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters, Bashiru Dawodu (APC, Lagos) has called for tax exemption for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), saying such a class of Nigerians should not be allowed to pay tax.
Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Persons with Disability in Abuja, Dawodu also called for tax relief for companies employing persons with disabilities or manufacturing facilities used by them.
He said even though his disability committee was in full support of the tax reform bills, they were conscious of the loopholes in the bills and will be presenting their position at the public hearing, adding that his committee will be moving for tax credits and waivers for companies manufacturing equipment used by PWDs.
He also said that teachers involved in special education should be encouraged through scholarships, while a disability trust fund should be put in place to take care of the interests of PWDs.
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Dawodu said the 2018 Disability Act which has a five-year moratorium is not being diligently implemented by agencies of government and the private sector, adding that the House was working on amending the law to impose more stringent penalties.
He disclosed that some of the provisions of the act include creating easy access to public buildings, creating easy access into bus and rail terminals as well as easy access to education and health facilities.
He said further that the law also provides that during employment, at least five percent of employment should be reserved for Persons With Disabilities.
He said even after the creation of the Disability Commission, the Disability Act was yet to be domesticated in several states across the country with only 22 states so far domesticating the Act.
He said states who are yet to domesticate the law should do so in the interest of persons with disabilities living in those states, while also lamenting the poor budgetary allocation to the Disability Commission.
He argued that the allocation of about N2 billion to the Disability Commission is suggestive of how the government wants to threaten persons with disabilities, saying the nation has fallen short of expectations.
While saying the disability act is currently being amended to ensure stiffer sanctions, Dawodu said the current act does not provide for women and children with disabilities, adding that the House has passed several motions to ensure enforcement of the Act.
He said the Committee was inviting agencies of government to come and show evidence of implementation, not the disability act, adding that the Electoral Act should also be amended to ensure easy access to voting and political participation by Persons With Disabilities.
One of the amendments being sought, he said is a constitutional amendment to bring the disability law in tandem with the constitution to make enforcement of the provisions stringent.
Dawodu emphasised the need for collaboration with NGOs and other organisations in advancing the course of PWDs, saying with over 35 million Nigerians living with disability, Nigeria will work better if the National Assembly works.
He reminded Nigerians that everyone is a potential PWD, saying, “When you are going on the road and you are involved in an accident, you are a potential PWD.
Director of the PWD’s Potential Unhinged Project, Valentine Ugochukwu Zion said the MoU covers a nationwide medical access support initiative for persons with disabilities which aims to provide b support to PWDs in underserved areas.
The MoU he said also covers talent discovery and development for PWDs within the area of creativity, a reality TV show to showcase the potential and resilience of PWDs, and an inclusive musical concert.