By Gloria Agbongiasede
Edo State Government has deepened its commitment of ensuring fairness, equity and protection of human rights by the inauguration of the Disability Rights Implementation Committee through its Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (ROLAC).
Speaking during the inauguration of the Committee in Benin City, the Commissioner for the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Hon. Christabel Omoh Ekwu, said the Committee is to enforce the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Law in the State. In her words, “The Committee is comprised of representatives from key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Justice, the High Court of Justice, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Ministry of Health, the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), and Joint Network for the Advancement of People with Disabilities (JONAPVID), and is saddled with the responsibility of advocating for the proper implementation of disability rights legislation to service providers and duty bearers.”
Hon. Ekwu emphasizing the Committee’s role in implementing the law, stated, “We now have a clear roadmap for implementing the law and raising public awareness about it. We have identified the necessary steps for implementation, including simplifying the law by translating it into indigenous languages to ensure the public comprehends its provisions. Essentially, this Committee is established to familiarize the public with the disability law.”
A representative of ROLAC, Edo State Chapter, Mr. Imonite Omokhidion, while appreciating the urgency of setting up the Committee, noted that there were lapses in the implementation of some provisions in the law despite the State’s approach to disability issues. He posited that the Committee’s role is to liaise with justice institutions and other partners to ensure the law’s provisions are fully implemented, including those related to access to public buildings for people with disabilities.
The Chairperson of JONAPVID, Mrs. Ann Obehi Ojugbo, expressed her satisfaction with the Edo State Government’s efforts to fine-tune the implementation of the disability law. According to her, “The establishment of this Committee by the Government, in collaboration with our Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, is a positive development. Edo State has been notably inclusive of people with disabilities, and today it takes the lead in ensuring the full integration of persons with disabilities into society.”
The Edo State Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Law, enacted in July 2022, aims to fully integrate individuals with disabilities into society as equal members, eliminating barriers and prohibiting any form of discrimination based on disability. The Committee’s chairman who is a representative of the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, will hold quarterly meetings, and may convene additional meetings to address urgent issues. They also have the flexibility to invite other relevant institutions or individuals to attend such meetings.
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