13 Years After, Ebonyi Assembly Passes Disability Bill Into Law

The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed into law a bill for the establishment of Ebonyi State Disability Rights Commission 13 years after it was presented by Human Rights groups.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the state is the first in the country to enact the bill into law. The law is to be cited as the Ebonyi State Disability Rights Commission Establishment law and other matters thereto 2025. The law is expected to take effect from the 14th day of February 2025.

The membership of the Disability Rights Commission shall consist of six persons of both genders at the administrative cadre with a person with disability as executive chairman.

LEADERSHIP also gathered that the functions of the commission includes carryout human and material resources mobilization and other activities as are necessary or expedient for the performance of its function.

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Maintain service records and create a register for persons with disabilities. Create and seek opportunities for persons with disabilities to develop and utilize that talents and skills to become self reliant.

The commission is also expected to equally make and implement policies and activities aimed at full inclusion of persons with disability within the society.

During the plenary, the bill enjoyed a unanimous endorsement from members of the House, who took turns to commend the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, for his all-inclusive governance in the state.

The passage of the bill took place at the Legislative Complex Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki.

Deputy Speaker Hon Chinedu Onah described the law as humanitarian, which the seventh Assembly would be remembered for.

Speaking on the bill, the speaker of the Assembly, Hon Moses Odunwa said the bill was apt as it provided for equal opportunities to all categories of persons in the society especially those with disabilities.

Chief Odunwa said that with the law, the state  government is obligated to provide access to quality healthcare, walkways, sign language interpreters and parking lots in public places for persons living with disabilities and stipulate punishments for offenders of the rights of people living with disabilities.

The speaker shortly after deliberations puts the passage into question and it was unanimously adopted.