By Kelechi Ugo.
Persons living with disabilities in Imo State have told Governor Hope Uzodimma that failure to domesticate national disability law means hatred on them.
In a press conference organized by the Qualitative Magazine in collaboration with Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, JONAPWD held at G Towers Hotels, Owerri on 18th January,2023, the group blamed Imo State Government for its continued deft ear in domesticating the disability law after President Muhammadu Bihari gave ascent to the bill as passed into law by National Assembly between 2018 and 2019.
According to the group, "the law is not only to favour them,but for the general interest of the society as nobody knows who will become the victim tomorrow. It is to enable those living with disabilities to favourably compete with abled people. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act was passed into Law by the National Assembly in 2018 with 19 states including Abia and Anambra already implemented the Law fully to the advantage of the Special Citizens, the vulnerable and those who may be disabled in the future".
Speaking, the Executive Director of The Qualitative Magazine, Mr. Agbo Christian Obiora said that if the Law is thoroughly implemented by Imo State by Government, it will mitigate all forms of stigmatization, discrimination and inhumane practices against persons with disabilities.
Agbo noted that the Law will also ensure access to education, employment, health, transportation and economic opportunities that will enable persons with disabilities live productive and independent lives.
"It will mitigate gender based violence that persons with disabilities face, especially women and girls with disabilities. The Law will also provide enablement for the participation of persons with disabilities in political and electioneering processes",he stated.
Mr. Agbo further regretted that Imo State is among states that are yet to domesticate the Disability Law and called on Governor Hope Uzodimma and Members of Imo State House of Assembly to initiate the process for the speedy passage of the Disability Law in the State for the interest of bringing on board people living with disabilities to contribute actively towards development of the State..
Lending his voice, the Imo State Chairman of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Dr. Stanley Nwachukwu reiterated that the full implementation of the Disability Law in Imo State would make disabled persons and the vulnerable groups to have more sense of belonging in the affairs of the State as well as making them self reliance.
Dr. Nwachukwu thanked Senator Osita Izunaso for ensuring the passage of the national disability law in the National Assembly calling on him and Imo State House of Assembly Speaker,Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka to work in tandem with Imo State Government to ensure speedy domestication of the law.
While, the immediate past Imo State Chairman of JONAPWD,Mr. Bright Uzoma thanked the member representing Okigwe North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Princess Miriam Onuoha for her good works as the lawmaker in charge of Disabilities Affairs in the Green Chamber calling on her to do more by ensuring that the disability law is domesticated in her home State.
Harping on the theme of the press conference: A Call for the Domestication of Disability Law in Imo State, President, Association of Physically Challenged, Youth Empowerment, Imo State, Comr. Ken Ugwuegbu, Secretary-General and Vice Chairman, JONAPWD, Nwaocha Emeka Rex, Amaechi Clinton Chinonye and Chairman, Albinism Association of Nigeria, Imo State branch, Pastor Ibegbulam Victor, urged government to stop shying away from meeting the needs of the vulnerable, disabled persons including the needy to make the society liveable and comfortable for all.
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