Business
NGO Wants Govt To Enforce Building Code
An NGO, Disability Right
Advocacy Centre (DRAC), has called for the enforcement of building code by the government to ensure accessibility of persons with disabilities.
Dr Irene Patrick-Ogbogu, Founder of the NGO, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Patrick-Ogbogu, who decried that access to facilities is a major factor determining Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) ability to attain independence, however noted that the code has been enshrined in our policies but not practicable.
She attributed the failure of buildings to non-compliance with the existing code and lack of enforcement by the government.
The founder further urged the government to partner with group of persons with disabilities to actually understand the kind of design needed that would enable them access public buildings and facilities with ease.
According to her, a lot of people in a bid to erect a building to meet the demands of persons with disabilities in the society ended up in building rubbish.
She further pleaded with individuals in the society to move a step forward in ensuring their personal facilities were accessible for persons with disabilities.
“We advocate that public buildings not just healthcare facilities but generally public buildings should be made more accessible, there should be rams built where necessary, there be lift where necessary.
“This modifications are possible and can happen just for people to be committed to the course of making sure that their buildings are accessible.
“What government can do is to enforce its building code, because this things already existed on our building code is just people are not actually complying.
“So government needs to also look at the existing laws and policies that speaks on these issues and begin to ensure that people are complying.
“But government need to partner with groups of persons with disabilities to actually understand what kind of design is needed to be able to ensure that someone can access the building.
“Because most times people just build buildings and say we have made building accessible but is not really the right kind of access,’’ she said.