Benue is the only state in the North Central Nigeria yet to domesticate the law
A bill to domesticate the Disability Law with the aim of empowering Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, their rightful privileges like other members of the society, Thursday, passed through first reading at the Benue State House of Assembly.
Lead presenter of the bill and majority leader of the Assembly, Saater Tiseer, representing Mbagwa State constituency in the Assembly during plenary emphasized the importance of the bill to lives of Persons with Disabilities in the state, noted that if passed, would change their living conditions.
He argued that Benue being the only state in the North Central yet to domesticate the law would make history if the law is passed, and that Benue will equally enlist its name among states with friendly disposition to the disability community.
Clerk of the Assembly, John Hwande, read the bill while the minority leader of the Assembly, Michael Udu, seconded the motion.
Other lawmakers who made contributions, argued that passage of the bill would be timely and urged the house to follow the process speedily for the bill to be passed into law.
After a robust debate, speaker of the Benue Assembly, Aondona Dajo, referred the bill for further legislative action.
It would be recalled that other stakeholders including Inclusive Friends Association, IFA, a non-governmental organization, championing domestication of the bill in Benue State through advocacy and other engagements, recently, during a roundtable with stakeholders, including House of Assembly members in attendance, urged the lawmakers to pass the bill.
IFA’s Executive Director, Grace Jerry had informed the gathering that Benue is the only state in the North Central Nigeria yet to domesticate the law.