Bayelsa Assembly Promises Speedy Passage Of Disability Rights Bill

Members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly have assured persons with disabilities that the long-awaited Disability Rights Bill will soon be passed into law.

The assurance was given when a delegation of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), led by its Bayelsa State chairman, Ekpomokumor Mayor, visited the State House of Assembly yesterday to seek clarification on the status of the bill.

The proposed law seeks to prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities and promote their welfare in the state.

Although a similar law was signed at the federal level in 2018, the Bayelsa version has passed several legislative stages but has yet to be concluded.

Addressing the delegation, the member representing Brass Constituency 1, Hon. Daniel Charles, explained that the bill had already passed the first and second readings in the House and also went through a public hearing where stakeholders made contributions.

He noted that legislative activities slowed down after the death of the state’s deputy governor in December, but assured that the Assembly had resumed sittings.

Charles said the next stage is the third reading, after which the bill would be sent to the governor for assent and also encouraged the group to maintain communication with the Assembly as the process progresses.

He said, “Thank God you are here. I was the one who brought the bill to the House in conjunction with the executive from Government House. We brought the bill, did the first reading and the second reading, which is the debates. Almost everybody supported the bill. There was nobody who spoke against it. Everybody supported it.

“The next stage is the third reading. After the third reading, it is the governor who will decide. The Speaker said I should tell you that your bill will be a priority. Today it is not listed, but in our next sitting it will be a priority.”

Also speaking, the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 and Chairman of the House Committee on Women, Children, Gender and Social Development, Hon. Chief Ayibanegiyefa Egba, assured the delegation that the state government and the Assembly were committed to addressing issues affecting persons with disabilities.

She further reassured the group that the bill would soon be considered.

“I know that the government has a listening ear. The moment the third reading is passed, it is not a long thing. You just read out the corrections, we look at them and dot the Ts and the Is. That is just all we are going to do in the third reading.

“We are promising you, as the Speaker has told us, that in the next sitting the bill will come up. I want to tell you that the government is looking into your matters,” she said.

In his response, the chairman of JONAPWD in Bayelsa State, Ekpomokumor Mayor, thanked the lawmakers for their support and explained that the visit was meant to peacefully follow up on the bill.

Mayor said members of the association were concerned about the delay and the different information circulating about the bill, adding that the bill would benefit not only persons with disabilities but the entire society.

He expressed optimism that the Assembly would soon complete the legislative process.

He said, “Extend this to Mr. Speaker and most especially even you yourself who took the bill to this House to make sure that PWD issues are being protected and to promote the well-being of persons with disabilities.

“The reason why we were worried about coming was that after now we are going to the election period. The election is around the corner. But this bill has been here and has suffered setbacks.

“Because one thing we know is that one can only run away from disability when you die prematurely. But when you age, disability will also catch up to you.

“Today it will not come up, but as we are here you promised that in your next sitting this matter will be a priority and will be considered. I believe that in this first quarter of the year, this our bill will be passed.”