By Mary Ugorji
The Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), has requested the Imo State government to initiate the process for the full implementation or the domestication of Disability Prohibition Act in Imo State in order to reduce the plight of people living with disabilities who always cry of being rejected and abandoned by the state government.
This request was made by the Executive Director of The Qualitative Magazine, Mr. Agbo Christian, in Owerri, on Wednesday, during a Press Conference.
He stated that 19 states in the country have fully domesticated the Disability Law which he said is giving edge to Special Citizens in those states for improved living, employment opportunities and education, pointing out that the disabled persons suffer adversely in Imo State “because of government’s failure to domesticate the law herein. Unfortunately, Imo State remains one of the states that are yet to domesticate the National Disability Act”.
According to him, “this law when domesticated by the state government will facilitate the mitigation of all forms of stigmatization, discrimination and inhuman practices meted to persons with disabilities. Invariably, it will ensure access to education, health, employment, transport and economic opportunities that will enable persons with disabilities live productive and independent lives, as well as mitigate all forms of gander based violence that persons with disabilities face especially the women and girls with disabilities. It will also provide enablement for their participation in political, electioneering processes”.
Agbo who loudly commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his passion on the issues concerning persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups, begged the Governor to commence the process for the domestication of the law, stressing that such a feat when achieved will be a landmark achievement, even as he called on the state House of Assembly to initiate the process for the passage of the disability law in the state.
Also, Agbo thanked in a special way The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) for its support through funding from Liliane Funds, as well as calling on the press and all other well-meaning citizens to add their voice towards the domesticaton of the law in the state.
Lending his voice, Chairman, JONAPWD, Imo State, Dr. Stanley Nwachukwu, affirmed that the law was signed into law in 2018, suggesting that there is need to have commissioner of disabilities that will oversee the welfare of people living with disabilities to cushion the effect of hunger, hardship and vulnerability.
Contributing, Secretary of the association, Nwoacha Emeka Rex, posited that the Act should be passed without further delay, as he appreciated Senator Osita Izunaso for advocating for the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities especially when he was at the National Assembly.
