Steps toward establishing a commission for persons living with disabilities in Taraba State have reached an advanced stage, The Guardian can report.

This was observed when a bill to that effect passed through its second reading at the State House of Assembly during a plenary session.

The proposed legislation aims to create the Taraba State Persons Living with Disability Commission, which would be tasked with addressing key issues such as education, healthcare, social inclusion, economic opportunities, and civil rights for people with disabilities in the state.

Speaking on the bill, the Speaker of the House, John Kizito Bonzena, stressed the importance of the legislation in fully integrating persons with disabilities into society.

He urged the public to stop discriminating against this vulnerable group, reminding everyone that they are equal members of society, created by God.

Also speaking on the bill, the Majority Leader, who doubles as the member representing Kurmi Constituency, Tafarki Agbadu, said the commission, if finally established, would enhance service delivery and foster better collaboration between service providers and people with disabilities.

The member, who presented a summary of the bill, urged his colleagues not to hesitate in passing it into law for the benefit of the entire people of the state.

In their various submissions, the member representing Wukari II, Josiah Yaro, and his counterpart from Bali I Constituency, Veronica Alhassan, both expressed concern over the discrimination and challenges faced by people with disabilities in the state.

They expressed optimism that the establishment of the commission would greatly improve the lives of those affected.

At the time of filing this report, the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Social Welfare, which, The Guardian, learned will schedule it for a public hearing in the coming weeks.