BASE LINE SURVEY FOR EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES IN THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE

The Base Line Survey for Employee with Disabilities in the Federal Civil Service conducted by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation commenced on the 20th May, 2019 in all the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The aim of the survey is to generate a comprehensive data on the size, types of Disabilities, their challenges and how to improve and plan for their inclusion in government policies which will improve their wellbeing at workplace.

It will be recalled that the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, FCA, NPoM, launched the Survey of Persons with Disabilities in the Federal Civil Service as part of the activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel Abuja in 2018.

The theme focused on empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWD) for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

She outlined the objective of the Survey to facilitate the development of a policy and implementation guide-line that will improve service delivery among PWDs in the Federal Civil Service.

She stressed further that the Survey is expected to provide disaggregated data of PWDs in the Federal Civil Service in order to enhance a better understanding of the issues and challenges faced by this category of employees and to enable the Service Welfare Office of the OHCSF design programmes to tackle such challenges.

She pointed out that the Federal Civil Service as the largest single employer of Labour in Nigeria has always provided equal opportunities for PWDs in its employment. She stressed that a diverse workplace is vital in harnessing our ability to respond to the challenges of different diversities. She believed that he Public Service has a key role in driving and leading the Change Agenda. She also reiterated that sustainable change will be realized when all employees are empowered to contribute to national development. This will assist in building an inclusive workforce, thus reemphasizing the integration of PWDs in the everyday activities of the Civil Service rather than an add-on after thought.

Mrs. Oyo-Ita believed that the time was ripe to begin effective planning for the future of PWDs in the Federal Civil Service. She concluded that the ultimate goal is the development of a comprehensive policy to address the challenges of PWDs, their welfare, work environment and general inclusiveness into mainstream service delivery of the Public Service.  As a pilot project, the survey will be conducted in the core Ministries and Extra-Ministerial Departments within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and subsequently, based on the availability of funds, the project will be extended to other Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the Federal capital Territory

and 36 States of the Federation. This she explained will provide the service with the necessary information on the issues and challenges faced by PWDs in the Federal Civil Service in other states for effective intervention towards service delivery.

She emphatically contended that the PWDs have right to participate in public life and become active citizens and that the Federal Government on its part, is working to lessen inequalities in our society thereby, create a more stable democracy. She emphasized that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation would continue to provide PWDs with the necessary tools to enhance their capacities, performance, service delivery and support them in setting their priorities towards the overall development of the country. She promised to leave no one behind in the quest for a fair opportunity in life.

Finally, Mrs. Oyo-Ita appealed to Development Partners, members of the International Community and Corporate Organizations to leverage and support the efforts of the Federal Government in broadening inclusivity for PWDs in the Federal Civil Service