By Bunmi Yekini
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has urged the Nigerian government and oil companies to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are included in the socio-economic benefits of the petroleum sector.
Mr. Godwin Unumeri, Acting Director of CCD, made the call on Wednesday in Awka during a three-day workshop on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. The event, themed “Ending Barriers Against Niger Deltans with Disabilities”, was organised by the centre and sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
Unumeri lamented that PWDs were excluded from the provisions of the PIA 2021, despite the fact that they are among the groups most affected by the environmental degradation caused by oil exploration.
“Anambra recently became an oil-producing state, promising more revenue, basic infrastructure and job opportunities,” he said. “But there are growing concerns about environmental damage and the exclusion of people with disabilities from the PIA benefit structure.
“The aim of this workshop is to develop a charter of demands to ensure equal opportunities in employment, training, community projects and decision-making processes for PWDs across the Niger Delta, including Anambra State.”
Ms. Florence Attah, Senior Programme Officer at CCD, explained that disability refers to a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, when combined with societal barriers, can limit full and equal participation in society. She reaffirmed CCD’s commitment to promoting disability rights and development through advocacy and capacity building, empowering PWDs to demand their rightful inclusion in the PIA.
In his remarks, Mr. Anthony Ifeanya, Anambra State’s Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, acknowledged the importance of inclusivity in driving the state’s economic prosperity. Represented by Mr. Christian Obiadi, he said the outcomes of the workshop would assist the government in creating a disability-inclusive framework.
Mr. Okafor Amanke, Chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (Anambra Chapter), also stressed the need for equitable management of oil resources in the state.
Similarly, Mr. Ugochukwu Okeke, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Anambra Chapter, commended CCD for championing the inclusion of PWDs in national policies.
“With this workshop, we will gain the right knowledge to engage constructively and ensure our inclusion in the PIA,” he said.