Sola POPOOLA
Persons Living With Disabilities have called for the speedy domestication of the Disabilities Act in Akwa Ibom State .
The Chairman of the Joint National Associations of Persons Living With Disabilities (JONAPWD)Akwa Ibom State Chapter ,Comrade Anietie Jackson flayed the state’s government alleged insensitivity to the plight of the PWDs six years after the implementation of this Act in Nigeria in 2018.
The JONAPWD leader therefore urged members not to relent in their efforts at ensuring that Akwa Ibom joins the league of states that have adopted the act.
He argued that many states in Nigeria ,including the neighboring state have adopted and domesticate the disability law, a legal framework that protects persons with disabilities from exclusion and discrimination.
He used the occasion to appreciate the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, (NSCDC) for setting up of disability duty desks across its commands nationwide including Akwa Ibom State
According to him ,this intervention wouldscale up support and also as a disability eye-lens for the protection of Person’s with Disabilities, (PWDs).
“It is important for the State government to make inclusion and participation of Akwa Ibomites with disabilities in governance and development programmers a priority as it is very expensive and difficult to live with disability without government support.
“It sadden us (PWDs) in Akwa Ibom State that since the implementation of this Act in Nigeria in 2018, it been six (6) good years now persons with disability in Akwa Ibom State is left at the foot-tail, behind bars, experiencing all forms of discrimination in the state. Right now statistical, majority of the state in Nigeria including our neighboring state has adopted and domesticate the disability law, a legal framework that protects persons with disabilities from exclusion and discrimination.
“As the creed says “Akwa Ibom Dákkádá (arise)” as a wake-up call to Akwa Ibomites. There is this category of persons (persons with disabilities) in the state that needs the government support to rise to that attend greatness. We call on the Governor His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, to domesticate without further delay the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 and also to ensure that the purpose of the Act is achieved. ” JONAPWD Chairman said.
Speaking further, he said “we appeal to the leadership of the House of Assembly ably led by Hon. Aniekan Bassey to adopt appropriate measures in fastening the domestication of the disability act in akwa ibom state as Failure in this regard is an indirect endorsement of discrimination and other harmful practices against Akwa Ibomites with disabilities.
We use this medium to entreat organizations of, and for persons with disabilities not to shrink in their efforts of promoting and creating sensitization on disability issues at the grass root level, State and Federal levels to enhance public understandings.
“The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a day set aside by the United Nations to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities. The theme for this 2022 IDPD is ‘Transformation Solution for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World’.
“The theme recognizes that the world is at a critical moment in the history of the United Nations, it is time to act and find joint solutions in building a more sustainable and resilient world for all and for the generations to come.
The complex and interconnected crises facing humanity today, including the shocks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other countries, a tipping point in climate change, all pose humanitarian challenges of an unprecedented nature, as well as threats to the global economy.
“Most often, in moments of crises, people in vulnerable situations such as persons with disabilities are the most excluded and left behind. In line with the central premise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to “leave no one behind”, it is crucial for governments, public and private sectors to collaboratively find innovative solutions for and with persons” he said .