Stakeholders have called on Rivers State Government to pass a disability rights law to support persons with disabilities in the state.
The call was made during a round table session convened in Port Harcourt recently by the Freky Andrew-Essien Care Foundation ( FAECARE) with support from Disability Rights Fund under the Disability Rights Projects.
Executive Director of FAECARE Foundation, Amb. Ndifreke Andrew-Essien drew the attention of stakeholders to the challenges faced by persons with disability stating that they are not suffering it due to the disability itself, but rather as a result of systems that have not been intentionally designed to include everyone.
She called on policy makers to be deliberate during policy formulation and implementations in carrying those with disability along.
Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Rivers State Council equally called on the Government to ensure that every public building in the state is designed for easy access to all including those with disabilities.
Other stakeholders at the meeting stressed that disability inclusion should be treated as a matter of right and development, not charity, adding that there was the need to move beyond just conversation and begin implementing structured, enforceable solutions backed by law as well as institutional accountability.
Stakeholders listed some areas of concern to include; public transportation systems, limited inclusive education opportunities, barriers within the health care system, and persistent discrimination in employment.
The stakeholders agreed on the urgent need for the drafted Rivers State Disability Rights Law to move to the House of Assembly for passage, adding that the law would provide a framework that guarantees accountability, protect right, and ensure equal participation.
In addition to legal reform, participants called for the establishment of a State-level institutional mechanism, such as a Disability Commission or coordinating body to oversee the implementation, monitor compliance, and ensure accountability within government structures.
The round table emphasised the importance of mainstreaming disability inclusion across ministries and sectors including education, health, infrastructure and employment.
They equally noted that without integration into planning and budgeting processes, inclusion efforts would remain fragmented and ineffective. The need for persons with disabilities to be active in decision making process was equally stressed.
Institutional representatives present at the meeting including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, stated that there already exist a Disability Rights Help Desk to support reporting and redress, while the State Ministry of Justice indicated its readiness to support enforcement of Disability Rights through appropriate legal channels. Additionally, the State Ministry of Social Welfare which oversees disability affairs in the state, reaffirmed their commitment to rights of persons with disabilities in Rivers State.
