Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged People With Disabilities (PWDs), in the state to take advantage of his administration’s programmes and policies like other members of the society.
“We recognise that the disability community is challenged by a plethora of barriers. These barriers were made worse due to unimaginable neglect of the community since the 1999 administrations,” he said.
Otti stated this at a roundtable dialogue organised by the Centre for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD), to celebrate the 2023 International Day of Persons With Disabilities in Umuahia, the state capital.
The occasion which is celebrated every December 3, has: “United in Action to Rescue and Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with, and by PWDs, ” as it’s theme.
Represented by his special assistant on PDWs, Mr David Anyaele, he charged the PWDs to take action by resisting all forms of discrimination against them by reason of their disability.
“Abia belongs to all of us and no one would be left behind in its development because of disability,” he noted, adding that the programmes and policies will better and enhance their lives.
The state chairman of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Mr Wisdom Okechukwu in his goodwill message, called for inclusiveness of PWDs in the administration’s activities.
Similarly, his counterpart of Persons With Physical Disabilities, Mr Alozie Iroabuchi, called for attitudinal change of public and private sectors on the issues concerning PWDs.
Contributing, a member of the state Advisory Committee on Disability Matters, Mr Okechukwu Kanu urged the PWDs to work harder to ensure full implementation of the state disability law.
In her opening remarks, interim head of the CCD, Mrs Florence Austin, represented by the state programme officer, Mrs Rachel Agomoh, stressed that all must be involved to eliminate discrimination against PWDs.