PERSONS WITH DISABAILITIES DEMAND MORE INCLUSION IN GOVERNANCE IN ABIA

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Persons with disabilities, (PWD) in Abia State have stressed the need for the society to grant them the access and opportunity to participate in governance.

They made call at the Government House Umuahia after a road walk to kick off the event tagged “the Abia Disability Day and Interactive Session with Governor Alex Otti.”

The leader of the Group and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Persons with Disabilities, Mr. David Anyaele, explained that the purpose of the event was to promote the rights, dignity and wellbeing of persons with disabilities in the society.

According to Mr. Anyaele, Abia State Disability Law criminalizes discrimination on the grounds of disability, provides access to public infrastructure and participation in society on equal basis for persons with disabilities.

However, he wondered the increased neglect of the rights of persons with disability in the state.

Mr. Anyaele thanked Governor Otti for appointing him into office to represent the group in the state as he highlighted some of the issues affecting PWDs, proffering solutions and measuring achievements made so far to improve their lot.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, who responded on behalf of the Governor, charged the people with Disability in the state not to limit themselves in the face of disabilities but see abilities in their conditions.

Pastor Ajagba assured them that Governor Otti would continue to improve their wellbeing in the state.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU