By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE
A group under the aegis of Lagos Civil Society Disability Policy Partnership, LCSDPP, has called on the private sector to support the state government in implementing the Lagos State Special People’s Law.

LCSDPP, in a statement issued during a press conference at Ikeja, Lagos, said there should be steady reduction of Government’s expenditures on disability issues especially through the setting-up of Lagos State Disability fund as provided by the Law.

The Civil Society group, in a memo to the state governor, proposed that the Lagos State Government approve and inaugurate the Public Private Sector Partnership on the implementation of the Lagos State People’s Law by the end of the second quarter of 2012.

They urged the private sector to invest in employment and economic empowerment; access to products and services; work place environment, stressing the need for support for accessible public infrastructure, information communication & technology and inclusive education.

In their words: “The ability of investors to imbibe inclusive and disability-friendly practices and organizing work places and business environment, design, development, production and delivery of products and services such as: banking, telecoms, transportation, hotel, ICT, education, health, mass media, etc will increase turnovers and profits on investments as no potential consumer is left out.”

The Lagos State Special People’s Law is aimed at safeguarding all persons with disabilities against all forms of discrimination and equating their opportunities in all aspects of living in the society.