From Attah Ede, Makurdi

A Non-governmental organisation, Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) in collaboration with National Endowment for Democracy (NED), on Tuesday called on the Benue State Government to show serious concern by immediately adopting the National Disability Act and send it to the Benue State House of Assembly for domestication.

The Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry made the call during an advocacy meeting with members of the Benue State House of Assembly, held at Batoha Hotels in Makurdi. According to them, they intended to achieve disability inclusion in the Imo state government ahead of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s appointment of commissioners for his second term in office.She explained that the aim of the advocacy is to have a round table discussion with members of the House to highlight key demands and expectations of persons with disabilities from the Benue State government.Mrs. Jerry stated that the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in democratic governance on equal basis with other citizens in Benue State is achievable, stressing PWDs have suffered different forms of discrimination in the State due to the non-domestication of the act in the State.She appealed to members of the state assembly to hasten governor Alia to adopt the National Disability Act and immediately send it to the State House of Assembly for Domestication for passage.”Benue is the only state in the north central region that has not domesticated the National Disability Act that was passed into in 2018 and assented by the president in 2019.”This delay has left persons with disabilities in Benue without the legal protections and support that are essential to their inclusion and participation in society.”We believe that if the Act is domesticated in Benúe State, it is expected that Persons with Disabilities would be given 5% of political appointments cutting across positions such as Commissioners, Special Assistant and Senior Special Assistant positions among others.”Furthermore, a quota system for legislative seats in Benue State would also improve disability representation in legislation. The Government would work closely with party leaders in removing all barriers.”A commitment from the speaker and the House of Assembly to prioritise the domestication of the Disability Act in Benue State account for this meeting.”The Act has provided a robust framework for ensuring access to public service, protecting against discrimination, and creating better opportunities for persons with disabilities,” Jerry stated.The executive director however disclosed that the organisation had already sent a draft of the Act to the State Attorney General and commissioner for justice and public order for onward submission to the governor.Some of the House members including Cephas Dykor representing Konshisha state Constituency commended the Inclusive Friends Association for their efforts towards drawing the attention of government to the Act.He advised that the bill for domestication of the National Disability Act should be privately sponsored rather than waiting for the executive governor to transmit it to the house.According to him, the executive bill demands so much commitment and resources to be able to scale the three stages of law making in the house and assured that the house is adequately ready to collaborate with IFA to ensure that the Act is domesticated in Benúe State.