By Abdullahi Lukman
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Abia State may henceforth participate in the review of the state’s climate change policy.
Already, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has held a one-day workshop for such persons in Umuahia, Abia State, preparatory to their engagement in the process.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, with support from the Disability Rights Fund.
The Acting Director of CCD, Mr. Godwin Unumeri, highlighted the importance of incorporating the views of PWDs in the “Abia State Climate Change Policy,” which is currently in its draft stage.
He commended the Abia State government for its progressive stance on disability inclusion and affirmed that the inputs from the workshop would be reflected in the final policy document.
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“We are working to ensure that PWDs, who are often the most marginalized, have their needs clearly addressed in the policy,” Unumeri said, stressing the need for explicit policy guidelines given the low education levels among many PWDs.
Mr. David Anyaele, Chairman of the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, underscored the importance of inclusive climate change policies, noting that PWDs are particularly vulnerable to climate-related impacts.
He emphasized the commission’s role in ensuring that state policies, including those on climate change, are inclusive of PWDs and thanked CCD for facilitating the initiative.
The workshop’s facilitator, Mrs. Esther Ajah, Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Climate Change and Sustainability, explained that the review was aimed at ensuring that vulnerable groups, particularly PWDs, are adequately considered in the state’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
She assured participants that their concerns would be incorporated in a second review of the policy.
A participant, Mr. Iroabuchi Alozie, State Chairman of Persons with Physical Disabilities, expressed optimism that the policy, once finalized and signed by the governor, would improve the lives of PWDs in Abia.
