By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
The government of Cross River State has pledged to adequately carry persons living with disabilities and albinos in governance.
The commitment was made by Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during a courtesy visit by both stakeholders at his office.
Responding to their plea, the SSG averred that “The request that they have made is not new, a request of inclusion in employment, we have always employed them as SAs and as PAs, we have always done that but we are going to do much more.
“Even now, the issue of our buildings been audited to ensure that we really get compliance so that people with disabilities can also have access to our facilities. That is a big point of attention which we would do. Any public building is not only for the able but also for the disabled.
“In terms of the law, we have already passed a bill in the House of Assembly for which we have thought about inclusion of people with disabilities in the affairs of the state, that have been recognized and been pursued. The state has done very well by involving persons with disabilities in the management of affairs in the state.
Earlier, the Convener of The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa, Mr. Jake Epelle expressed high hopes in the current administration.
“We are interested in ensuring that the government carries along persons with disability in all spheres of governance.”
He revealed that they are willing to partner in developing guidelines for the forthcoming local government election.
In an interview with CrossRiverWatch, Mr. Livinus Ibingha, State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) disclosed that they have been advocating seriously for the holistic inclusion of persons with disabilities.
“We have been with SSG advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. There was a bill passed by the Assembly, the bill was assented to by the immediate past governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, waiting for the establishment of a Commission.
“We are hopeful that the issue was presented before His Excellency here through the SSG, and he has assured us that he is going to make sure we go to the governor to re-echo what we have presented before him because it is a commission that will air the views of persons with disability in the state.”
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