The New Experience Newspapers Online News Indepth, Analysis and More
A group of persons with disabilities (PWDs) under the aegis of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has charged other states to emulate the 10 states that have adopted domesticated the Disability Act in the country.
Executive Director of CCD, David Anyaele, made the call when he visited the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Glory Edet, in Uyo.
He commended the 10 states that have passed the bill into law and Akwa Ibom where the bill has reached the committee stage and urged the remaining states to follow suit for the interest of PWDs and the nation.
According to him, the 10 states that have passed the bill into law are Kano, Jigawa, Anambra, Kogi, Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti, Plateau, Kwara and Bauchi, adding that the organisation was creating awareness around PWDs for them to understand the implications of corruption.
“We are working to build the capacity of people with disabilities around the national Disability Act. We are glad that the bill has been presented before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. It has past first and second reading and it is currently at committee stage being presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
“We are expecting that more states should adopt the Act, because of the 36 states of the federation only 10 have adopted the Act. We are insisting that if there is any time to protect PWDs against discrimination and other harmful attacks in Akwa Ibom, it is now.
“The state should ensure that democratic dividends are accessible to all, especially persons with disabilities. It is only when legal frameworks are provided to protect them that they will be able to maximise their potential.
“On our part, we are creating awareness around them in the state for them to understand its implications not just to government areas, but also its effects on them in their association, as well as interpersonal relationships,” he said.
Anyaele said the CCD was concerned about the high level of corruption in the country, stressing that the CCD was pleased with the level government was working to curtail the menace.
Speaking, Edet, who was represented by Director for Rehabilitation, Dominic Isidore, commended the group for their effort in pushing the frontiers of discrimination through the disability act.
She assured that the ministry was still working towards mitigating the challenges facing the organisation for their better engagement in society.
She stressed that disability issues were of serious concern that should not be left in the hands of governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) alone, but should involve multinational organisations and well-meaning individuals.