The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, NCPWD, says out of a total of 35.1 million persons currently living with disabilities in Nigeria, only 4,500 are officially registered.
James Lalu, Executive Secretary of NCPWD, made the disclosure on Monday in Kano at a one-day programme for the issuance of permanent certificates to persons living with disabilities in the North-West.
Represented by Ikem Uchegbulam, Director of Compliance and Enforcement of the Commission, he said the programme was organized to sensitize persons with disabilities, PWDs, on the benefits of the certification.
He said the exercise was in line with Section 28 of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Act.
According to him, PWDs can obtain a permanent certificate from the Commission, while temporary certifications for those unable to use a body part are issued by medical doctors.
“In addition to acting as a means of identification, the Act has made the certificate a legal requirement for obtaining remedy from the law court, hence the need for possession of the certificate,” he said.
He urged all Nigerians living with a disability to obtain the certificates to fully access its benefits.
Lalu said only PWDs with valid certificates could receive and seek treatments as stated in the Disability Act.
The NCPWD boss urged the public to seek the right advice from the Commission with respect to the construction of accessible structures.
