By Leonard Okachie
Some stakeholders have called for the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Abia within the benefit structures of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
This appeal was made during a one-day workshop on the PIA and Disability Laws, organised by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in Umuahia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the workshop was with the theme: ‘Ending Barriers Against Niger-Deltans with Disabilities (EBAND)’, and funded by the Ford Foundation.
Participants included HCDT representatives, MDAs, disability cluster leaders, and civil society organisations, who pledged to push for PWDs’ inclusion in PIA benefits.
Gov. Alex Otti described the workshop as a step toward ensuring PIA opportunities are accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability.
Represented by Mrs Ngozi Felix, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Otti reaffirmed his government’s commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable Abia.
He stressed that a society which excludes any group cannot achieve its full potential or fairness.
“We cannot build a fair and thriving society by leaving anyone behind,” Otti said.
He added that the HCDTs created by the PIA offer a chance for inclusive development and shared progress.
“To realise this, we must prioritise the voices and needs of PWDs,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of having PWDs involved in shaping HCDT design and implementation.
Mr David Anyaele, Chairman, Abia Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, highlighted ongoing exclusion of PWDs in Niger Delta interventions.
He said the PIA is a strong tool for promoting PWD inclusion and participation in regional development efforts.
Anyaele, also the Governor’s Special Assistant on PWDs, reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving their welfare.
He praised CCD for championing the rights of PWDs in Abia and across Nigeria.
“Our goal is to educate host communities and oil firms on disability mainstreaming,” Anyaele stated.
He called for the 3 per cent community development allocation to reflect PWDs’ needs in every budget.
Anyaele also pledged to engage HCDTs to ensure their projects align with the needs of PWDs.
Mr Emmanuel Ekwueme, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Abia, also backed greater PwD inclusion in HCDT membership.
Represented by a Director, Mr Onyekwere Amadi, Ekwueme urged the Federal Ministry to carry out inclusive needs assessments before project execution.
He also recommended amending the PIA to formally include qualified PWDs on HCDT committees.
In a goodwill message, Dr Joshua Onyeike of ASOPADEC said disability inclusion fosters equity, diversity and sustainable development.
Onyeike, represented by Mrs Amarachi Nwachukwu, assured that ASOPADEC supports inclusion in the PIA’s benefit plans.
Dr Lucky Eleogu, a former HCDT Chairman, said integrating PWDs is a moral imperative, not just a fairness issue.
He urged deliberate inclusion of PWDs in community governance and project planning to ensure meaningful participation.
“I hope this workshop leads to action, not just discussion,” Eleogu said.
Mr Godwin Unumeri, Acting Director of CCD, said the programme across nine Niger Delta states targets PwD inclusion in PIA benefits.
He noted that the current Act recognises women, youths, and traditional rulers, but omits PwDs.
Unumeri said: “We plan to collaborate with the Petroleum Regulatory Commission to develop a support act.”
He expressed hope that a supplementary act would legitimise the inclusion of PWDs in PIA structures. (NAN)
