The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities(CCD) has presented the findings of the report on the disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Abia.
The centre made the public presentation at an event that was attended by members of the media, civil society organisations, disability community and others on Tuesday in Umuahia.
The survey was conducted by CCD with the support from the Disability Rights Fund.
The Lead Consultant, Dr Queensley Chukwudum, who made the presentation, revealed poor effectiveness of the policy and legal frameworks related to
disability rights and climate change in Abia.
She said that the effectiveness was only 12 per cent.
On the other hand, she said that the state scored high with 68 per cent mark on the effectiveness of policy and legal frameworks on disability rights.
Chukwudum is an African Union Scholar and Senior Lecturer, Department of Insurance and Risk Management,
University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
She said that the sample size consisted of 104 respondents of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) as respondents, with 53. 85 males and 46.2 per cent females.
The consultant said the respondents were drawn from the three senatorial zones of Abia South, Abia Central and Abia North.
She further disclosed that an extremely poor result was obtained in disability and climate inclusive strategies in the state.
According to her, only four per cent individuals had participated in capacity-building or knowledge-sharing activities, while two per cent were actively involved in community activities addressing climate resilience.
She therefore recommended tailored heat stress programmes such as cooling centers including tree planting,
inclusive recreation and upgrade of bus stops.
Chukwudum also called for inclusive health strategies, resilient agriculture, accessible infrastructure, financial inclusion, flood preparedness enhancement and others.
In a remark, Dr Chidoziem Egwuonwu, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive of Abia State Health Insurance Agency, underscored the importance of the survey.
He said that the PWDs were included in the state’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which allows them 100 per cent free access to health care.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs Joy Maduka said that Gov. Alex Otti took climate change issue very seriously, which necessitated the establishment of the Department of Climate Change in the ministry.
Maduka, who was represented by Mr Ike Onyekachi, expressed the ministry’s keen interest to collaborate with CCD to integrate some of the findings in its maiden Climate Change Policy and Action Plans.
Earlier, the Acting Director of CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, said the survey was a baseline comprehensive assessment of the specific needs, barriers, and opportunities for PWDs
in the context of climate variability and extreme events.(NAN)
