The former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on People with Special Needs, Mr Isaac Nor, has lauded the state government for domesticating the disability bill.

Speaking to The Guardian in Makurdi, Mr Nor expressed delight over the progress of the bill, which recently passed its second reading at the Benue State House of Assembly. He noted that the development brought immense joy to the People Living With Disability (PLWD) community.

“I commend the governor for the steps taken so far. We have been agitating for the domestication of the federal government’s bill on disability here in Benue State,” Mr Nor said. “We have seen Governor Hyacinth Alia always making conscious efforts to carry us along. We the PLWD community in Benue State appreciate the governor for fighting our cause.”

In a related development, the Benue State government, through the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), in collaboration with the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), organised a one-day technical review session in Makurdi.

The Guardian learnt that the session aimed to refine the Benue State Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Bill before its final assent.

It was resolved during the session to model the Benue Disability Bill after the federal government’s version, which established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).