The Gombe State House of Assembly has confirmed receipt of Disability Right Bill from the Joint Association of Persons with Disability (Gombe State Chapter).
Secretary of the Joint Association and National President of Nigerian Association of the Blind, Ishiaku Adamu Gombe, who led the delegation to present the bill to the lawmakers, said if established, will go a long way in solving the problems affecting persons with disabilities in the State.
He said, “We are here today in the Gombe State House of Assembly, to present a bill that will establish an Agency for disabled, that will cater for their needs, in terms of Education, Health and Job creation thus eliminating street begging among them.”
Adamu added that since the Federal Government had signed a disability bill into law, it was pertinent for Gombe State follows suit because of the benefits inherent in the bill.
Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities Gombe State Chapter, Hon. Ali Goro thanked the Speaker and all members of the House for the opportunity rendered to the Association to present the said bill, describing it as unprecedented.
He also shed more light on the importance of the establishment of a disability agency at the state level.
“If the bill is passed into law, the disabled will enjoy contesting political posts. There are NGOs that are ready to help disables with over 500 million Naira which will be in the coffers of the State.
“Resources of state government alone can’t handle issues of the disabled, Federal government, North East Development Commission and foreign donors all will contribute for the agency” Goro added.
Responding, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim, assured the delegation that the lawmakers will do everything possible to actualise their dreams.