NAN-H-36
Ramp
By Ella Anokam
Abuja, Sept. 11, 2017 (NAN) Some experts have called on relevant government agencies to enforce “ramp construction’’ in public buildings to enhance mobility and accessibility of people, especially people living with disabilities.
Ramp (Mobile Staircase) is a designed sloping floor, walk, or roadway leading from one level to another.
Some housing and construction experts made the call in separate interviews on Monday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
An Architect, Mr John Ewule, said that the awareness to cater for the need of people living with disabilities was paramount.
The expert stressed that building professionals should endeavour to capture this while discharging their duties in a housing project.
According to him, the designing and construction of ramp is part of the building code in the country, it should be reviewed for adequate implementation.
“Every public building should have an elevator for the physically challenged.
“It is already stated in the building code but needs to be regulated by the FCT Department of Development Control and other regulatory agencies in states,” he said.
Mr Akomolafe Henrich, Managing Director, Akotex Nigeria Ltd., an elevator manufacturing and installing company urged the government to improve housing infrastructure in the country.
Akomolafe said the government should make a standard for any building above three floors to have an elevator to encourage the disabled.
According to him, 60 per cent of materials needed for manufacturing an elevator are made from steel.
He regretted that Nigeria had steel located in Ajeokuta, Kogi State but it was not properly harnessed.
“We are looking forward for investors in order to expand the business to serve it purposes,” he said.
Mr Adebayo Festus, President, Shelter Rights Initiative, an NGO, expressed worry on the way most houses were being built in the country without putting into consideration the mobility of the disabled.
He called for the designing of ramps in public buildings for accessibility for people living with disabilities.
According to him, this will go a long way to champion the course of people living with disabilities.
“We want government to look into the provision of ramps in public buildings for disabled people and a bill to that effect at the National Assembly should be followed up.’’
He, however, noted that ramp designs were included in building plans before approval by Development Control Agency. (NAN)
ELLA/MO/AFA
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Edited by Omolade M/Felix Ajide