IFA, Stakeholders review Benue State Disability Bill ahead of passage

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Stakeholders from Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), in collaboration with Benue state stakeholders have held a one-day Technical Review Session of the Benue State Disability Bill ahead of its final hearing and passage.

The Executive Director, IFA, Grace Jerry who noted that persons with Disabilities constitute a huge demography of over 40 million, said the essence of the review session was to collectively work with government representatives, civil society, technical experts, and members of the disability community to look at the Bill closely, strengthen it, and make sure there are no gaps but that it speaks to the real needs and the peculiarities of persons with disability.

“It is a critical step in the commitment of stakeholders to inclusion, equity, and justice. The Disability Bill, once finalized and enacted, will not only align with national and international standards but will also serve as a beacon of hope and empowerment for thousands of citizens with disabilities across the state.

She encouraged all participants to engage openly, listen actively, and share constructively to enable them come out with something they can all stand behind and push forward confidently.

She said “the bill has passed through the first and second reading and it is s important that before the final passage, we review it so that everyone working or speaking on the bill can look at it for the last time and make their final observation and input.”

The Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development and Deputy Speaker Benue state House of Assembly, Hon Ladi Ogenyi said they would do everything to see that the bill is passed

Ogenyi who was represented by the State Assembly Member representing Otukpo/Akpa State Constituency, Hon Kennedy Angbo informed that the bill has gone through first and second reading and after the third reading, it would be sent to the Governor for assent.

He said when passed,it will promote the values of those living with Disabilities even as the house will make legislation mandating the Urban Development Board to ensure that all buildings in the State make provisions for accessibility for persons living with Disabilities

Also speaking, the Director General, Benue State Bureau for International Corporation and Development (BICD), Leonard-Angelo Viashima who expressed worries that most public buildings are not PWds friendly as they have no access for the persons of concern.

Viashima who described the bill as beautiful and appreciated the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia for taking the bill personally, making it an executive and working with the state Assembly to get it thus far.

He called for a deliberate and careful review of the provisions stating that “when the bill is passed and we find an error in it, we would have ourselves to blame.”

He pledged that the state government would provide an enabling environment for the bill to pull through saying when the bill is passed, the vulnerable population will be the winner and their lives would be better for it.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Fidelis Mnyim, represented by Barr Sunday Sabah, an Assistant Director in the Ministry, said every population consists of 15 percent of PWDs and there is no better way to carry them along without a legislative pronouncement.

“We must be selfless about the review because there is nothing about PWDs that would happen without them. At the end of the day, we should have a document that would speak to the peculiar needs of the PWDs.”

Chairman of JONAPWD, Mr Onah Adeyi congratulated Inclusive Friends Association for the good fight describing the review as a great honour.

He also thanked the Benue state government for making the bill an executive bill, appealing that after the review, members of the state assembly should to look into it for passage.

Giving an overview of the Benue State Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Bill, a legal partner, Barr Joseph Gbagyo, said the bill has key provisions such as prohibition of discrimination on accessibility to public buildings through mandatory accessibility provision, creating employment opportunities for PWDs and establish institutional supports among others.

He also called for the establishment of a commission to house and implement, monitor compliance, investigate complaints and promote awareness for the law when it is finally passed.