The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has urged the government and oil companies to include persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the socio-economic benefits of the sector.
Mr Godwin Unumeri, Acting Director, CCD, made the call at a three-day workshop on Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, organised by the centre and sponsored by Ford Foundation.
The workshop holding in Awka, had the theme ‘Ending Barriers Against Niger Deltans with Disabilities’.
Unumeri lamented that the PIA 2021 excluded PWDs.
He said there was the need to ensure their inclusion in the benefit structures outlined in the Act across the Niger Delta region, including Anambra.
“Anambra recently became an oil-producing state, promising more revenue, basic projects and job creation.
“But there are also raising concerns about environmental degradation and exclusion of people with disabilities.
“Environmental degradation caused by oil exploration majorly affects PWDs, yet the PIA benefit structure does not include them.
“The goal of this workshop is to develop a charter of demands to ensure equal opportunities.
“In terms of employment, training, community projects and decision-making processes,” he said.
Also speaking, Ms. Florence Attah, Senior Programme Officer, CCD, defined disability as a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment that can hinder full and equal participation in society.
She stated that CCD actively promotes disability rights and development.
According to her, they achieve this by advocating and building the capacity of PWDs to demand their inclusion in the PIA.
Anambra State Govt’s Response on PWD Inclusivity
In his remarks, Mr Anthony Ifeanya, Anambra state’s Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, acknowledged the importance of inclusivity in the economic prosperity of the state.
Mr. Christian Obiadi, representing Ifeanya, said the workshop’s outcome would help the government achieve a disability-inclusive framework.
On his part, Okafor Amanke, Chairman, Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, Anambra Chapter, said equitable management of oil resources in the state was necessary.
Reacting, Mr Ugochukwu Okeke, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with DReaisability (JONAPWD), Anambra Chapter, was in attendance.
Okeke appreciated CCD for championing the inclusion of PWDs in the nation’s policies.
He said, “This workshop will equip us with the right knowledge to engage properly and ensure our inclusion in the PIA.”
Stakeholders such as traditional rulers abd civil society organisations were also at the workshop.
