HAPI, others call for domestication of disability law

The HOPE ALIVE for Possibilities Initiative (HAPI) and other stakeholders have taken steps to accelerate the domestication of Disability law in Benue State.

They called on the Benue State government to hasten the domestication of disability law to safeguard the rights and foster an inclusive society for persons with disabilities by the urgent adoption of draft Disabilities Bill to be presented to the Benue State House of Assembly as Executive Bill.

The call was made at a Press Conference on the importance of Disability Law in Benue State by HAPI, held last Wednesday at Eyah’s Hotels and Suits, Makurdi.

Speaking, the Executive Director HAPI, Aver Akighir stated that, HAPI, with support from Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF), will continue to seek collaborations with government and strategic partners to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in the state.

She lamented that, Benue State in the North-Central region, remains the only state without a disability law after many years, the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 was signed into Law in 2019 by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, which leaves persons with Disabilities in the state more vulnerable to various forms of discrimination by individuals and governmental institutions.

The Director also enumerated some of the issues overwhelming persons with Disabilities in the state to include: “Denial of political appointments and employment against the 5% reserve employment opportunities for Disabilities, as stated in the Prohibition Act 2018, poor access to affordable healthcare services, feeding, education and transportation among others due to the scorching effect of subsidy removal amidst inflation”.

She further urged the government to leverage on Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD)’s extensive network which plays a crucial role coordinating grassroots movements, advocating socio-political compliance and addressing grievances in the 23 local governments of Benue State.

Also speaking, Mr Onah Adah (person with Albinism) and Mercy Jovkyundan explained that, supposedly, the lack of political will by the past administrations against persons with Disabilities is the reason for the delay in the domestication of the Law in the state.

Source: The Voice News Papers, Benue Television