4 weeks ago
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The Benue State Government has pledged to domesticate the Disability Act in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, gave this assurance on Thursday when she received the Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, and her team in her office.
Aber acknowledged the importance of the Act and commended the team for pursuing “a worthy cause.”
The SSG noted that the bill, which had already been presented to the State Executive Council, would soon be reviewed to ensure its domestication.
Aber also reiterated the Alia administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of persons with disabilities in the state, stating that the government had prioritised them.
She said, “I have it on good authority that the Attorney General not only has the draft bill but has also presented it before the State Executive Council to consider and ensure its passage.
“The bill is currently being worked on, and as soon as the memo is reviewed, the state will follow through to ensure the domestication of the Act.
“Furthermore, this administration is deeply committed to the needs of people living with disabilities. Bem Anshe has been appointed as Special Assistant to the Governor on Disability Affairs.
“This appointment ensures they have a voice in government, and, for the first time in the state, we have a sign language interpreter to enable those who cannot hear to understand. This demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity.”
While receiving the team in his office, the Director General of the Budget and Planning Commission, Prof. Jerome Andohol, assured them that the government would provide adequate support for the project where and when necessary.
Earlier, during separate advocacy visits to government officials in Makurdi, IFA Executive Director Grace Jerry sought the Benue State Government’s support for domesticating the Disability Act in the state.
Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry presenting disability draft bill to Benue SSG, Deborah Aber
Jerry, who led the team to meetings with the Secretary to the State Government and Andohol, stressed the need to domesticate the Act with an appropriate budget allocation for the project.
The Executive Director expressed regret that Benue remains the only state in the North Central geopolitical zone yet to domesticate the Act and called on senior government officials to support the enactment of the draft bill currently before the State Executive Council.
She said, “The Disability Act has yet to be domesticated in the state, which has left persons with disabilities vulnerable to exclusion because there is no law requiring key sectors to support them appropriately.”
Jerry added that the association had undertaken several advocacy visits to advance the bill. “We partner with the disability association in the state chapter, the media, and all stakeholders. One key ally in this effort has been the State Attorney General, whom we have also met to advocate for the bill’s passage.
“We consider your office (SSG) one of the crucial offices that can support us. As a leader who understands the challenges faced by marginalised groups, we appeal to you to use your good office to help pass this bill to the governor.”
In addition, Anshe regretted that the previous administration had failed to ensure the domestication of the bill despite various efforts and expressed optimism that the current administration would succeed in making the Act a reality in the state.
