Abuja: The Ability Life Initiative (TALI), a non-governmental organization, has called for accessible and affordable housing and transportation services for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD). Dr. Prada Uzodimma, the Co-Founder of TALI, made this appeal during a stakeholder forum on inclusive transport and accessible housing for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Uzodimma emphasized that the forum was not merely a platform for dialogue with stakeholders but a summit aimed at addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. She highlighted the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as both a challenge and opportunity provider for evidence-based, actionable inputs on transport accessibility in Nigeria. The initiative aligns with the obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Nigeria’s Disability Act of 2018.
Dr. Uzodimma stressed the importance of reviewing existing laws and policies to identify and address the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities across various transport modes and cities. She pointed out that the forum was also meant to showcase innovative solutions, such as accessible taxis and inclusive housing models, underscoring the urgency of progress in this area. The initiative aims to ensure that persons with disabilities are central to planning, implementation, and monitoring processes, ultimately becoming authors of change.
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, reiterated that persons with disabilities have long faced marginalization in terms of inclusive transport and accessible housing-rights that should be considered as non-negotiable. He stated that the NHRC was established to promote, protect, and enforce the human rights of everyone living in Nigeria, and this forum was aligned with the NHRC’s commitment to advancing these rights.
Dr. Ojukwu highlighted that the forum was convened under the Human Rights Council Resolution 55/8, which focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities to inclusive infrastructure, transport, and housing. The forum also aimed to gather relevant information to guide inputs and generate practical recommendations for the Human Rights Council’s report on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Mr. Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, emphasized the timeliness of the stakeholders’ forum. He called for attention to the implementation of Section 9 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, which ensures equal access to goods, services, and facilities for persons with disabilities.
Mr. Ojo Oyetunde, Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Housing Authority, represented by his Special Assistant on Technical, Arch. Peter Okpanachi, acknowledged the demands made by TALI for persons with disabilities, recognizing them under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). He noted that the FHA already has plans to construct affordable and accessible housing for this community.
The Ability Life Initiative aims to bridge the gap for persons living with disabilities by empowering them and advocating against discrimination.
