The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), in collaboration with the Ford Foundation have called for full Implementation of disability Act to protect rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs)in Anambra.
Mr David Anyaele, Executive Director of CCD and Chairman, Abia State Disability Commission, made the call at a three-day workshop in Awka.
The workshop had the theme – ‘Ending Barriers Against Niger-Deltans with Disabilities’.
The workshop was aimed at advancing the rights and participation of PWDs in governance and development, particularly in oil-producing states and communities.
Anyaele emphasised the urgent need for greater inclusion and awareness around the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
“On Jan. 23, 2019, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, following years of relentless advocacy by disability rights groups and activists.
“In Nigeria, we are 50 years behind when it comes to disability rights, and the world is moving fast. It’s time we provoke hunger for knowledge, awareness and action.
“The full Implementation of disability Act in the country including Anambra will protect the rights of PWDs.
“But knowing your rights as PWDs is the first step toward empowerment,” Anyaele stated.
He urged PWDs to actively participate in community and political processes.
He also stressed the importance of being involved in village meetings, amending community constitutions and demanding inclusion in developmental projects.
Anyaele also drew attention to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2022, highlighting the missed opportunities for inclusion of PWDs in the governance structures.
“The PIA provides for host community development and consultations, yet many PWDs are unaware of the opportunities available to them.
“It is imperative that host communities and oil companies include people with disabilities in their needs assessments, advisory boards and project implementations,” he said.
He warned that the negative impacts of oil exploration often disproportionately affect PWDs and called for intentional design of infrastructure,such as markets and public toilets to accommodate them.
Anyaele urged the Anambra state government, under Gov. Charles Soludo, to fast-track the passage and implementation of disability-related legislation.
According to him, such legislation will ensure that existing interventions are aligned with inclusive best practices.
“We are not merely asking the House of Assembly to pass laws.
“We are demanding that host communities and oil firms ensure that no one,especially PWDs are left behind in the development equation,” he said.
Anyaele reminded participants that the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 is a powerful tool in the fight against inequality.
He said the Act had stiff penalties for violators—N100,000 for individuals and N2 million or six months’l imprisonment for public officials found guilty of discrimination.
“The law took 18 years to pass. Now it’s up to us to enforce it and educate others.
“Discrimination is so normalised in Nigeria that people do not even recognise it anymore. We must challenge that,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Ugochukwu Okeke, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra chapter, thanked CCD for championing the rights of PWDs.
He urged governments at all levels to deepen its support for disability-inclusive development.
“This workshop has deepened our knowledge by revealing overlooked rights and opportunities enshrined in the PIA and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018.
