Public Hearing: Delta Assembly Interfaces with Stakeholders on Disability Bill

By Pleasant Johnson

The Delta State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on a bill for a law to safeguard people living with disability against all forms of discrimination, equalise their opportunities in all aspects of living in the society, and establish the Delta State Commission for persons with disability and related matters.

The Chairman, House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services, and Girl Child Entrepreneurship, Hon Bridget Anyafulu as well as the Chairman, Committee on Special Bills, Hon Emeka Nwaobi led the public hearing.

Hon Anyafulu outlined three focal components of the bill; the provisions prohibiting discrimination in whatever form against people living with disability as well as provisions that allow the latter to access vital services, the provisions for registration of persons with disability and provisions for the establishment of a commission to cater for people with disability.

She said that the purpose of the public hearing was to allow legislators to engage citizens in the lawmaking process, assuring members of the public that the committee would consider their suggestions regarding the bill carefully.

A representative of the disabled community presented their memorandum, followed by various clusters of individuals with disabilities offering inputs and amendments to the Disability Bill. Other stakeholders also contributed to the bill.

The permanent secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas expressed her gratitude to the committee and the entire House of Assembly for their deliberations on the bill and commended the organization of the public hearing.