Abbas decries PWDs’ exclusion from governance

Otti promises removal of barriers hindering PWDs 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has decried the exclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from meaningful political participation and decision-making processes in the country.

Speaking at an event to mark the International Day for Persons with Disabilities 2024, held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, he noted that the barriers not only hindered the development of PWDs but also slowed the progress of the nation as talented individuals were not included in national development initiatives.

Represented by his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, he said the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 remained a landmark step towards addressing the challenges faced by PWDs.

He said only about 19 states had domesticated the vital legislation, leaving many of its provisions unrealised in key areas, such as accessibility standards for public buildings and transportation systems.

He also stated that budgetary constraints were often cited as the primary reason for the delays, assuring that the 10th House, recognised the shortcomings and was committed to ensuring that the Act’s provisions regarding healthcare, accessibility, education, employment, and the prohibition of discrimination were enforced.

Abbas commended President Bola Tinubu for the launch of the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS), saying the initiative demonstrated His Excellency’s commitment to inclusivity by reserving dedicated funds for the empowerment of the PWDs.

He, therefore, urged all relevant agencies and stakeholders involved to act swiftly and efficiently to facilitate seamless access to the funds, with delays minimised to ensure that PWDs could promptly benefit from the scheme’s objectives.

“For decades, PWDs have struggled with limited access to basic services, education, employment, and public infrastructure. Most troublingly, they have been excluded from meaningful political participation and decision-making processes.

“These barriers not only hinder the development of PWDs but also slow the progress of our nation as a whole as talented individuals were not included in National development initiatives.

“In the People’s House, we recognise these shortcomings. That is why our legislative agenda places a strong emphasis on oversight of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018. We are committed to ensuring that its provisions regarding healthcare, accessibility, education, employment, and the prohibition of discrimination are enforced.”
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024:

MEANWHILE, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, yesterday, renewed his administration’s policy that PWDs would not only be engaged in leadership positions, and promised to continue to remove barriers that hinder them from participating on an equal basis with non-PWDs.

Otti stated this in his goodwill message to the state PWDs as Nigeria joined the global commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The governor, in the message by his Special Assistant on Persons with Disabilities, David Anyaele, stated that the commemoration provided another opportunity to reflect on the efforts toward ensuring the well-being of Abia citizens with disabilities and their extent of participation in the socio-economic development of the state.

“The vision and mission of our government is simply to reduce the incidence of disability in our state. This, we are doing through investment in education, healthcare, and provision of accessible services and infrastructure, using the Abia State Disability Law as our guide.”