By Blessing Nnabuife
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has assured that his government is very mindful of the needs of people with disabilities and that they were taken into consideration from the conception of the Anambra Airport design to its full completion.
Governor Obiano, who was represented by the Commissioner for Works, Marcel Ihejiofor, stated this on Saturday, during the visit of members of Anambra disability community to the Anambra International Passenger and Cargo Airport at Umueri, for them to preview the accessibility of the airport.
Dr. Obiano appreciated the support the group has given to the government and reassured that persons with disabilities would be given special attention in the use of the airport facilities.
Speaking during the visit, the Special Adviser to Governor Obiano on Disability Matters and Director, Anambra Disabilities Rights Commission, Chuks Ezewuzie, said the essence of the visit was to confirm the installation of the facilities at the new airport and ensure they’re friendly to persons with disabilities.
“Persons with disabilities visited the airport today to see for themselves that the governor has the welfare of persons with disabilities at heart while building the airport.
“The governor has continued to demonstrate his unrivalled passion and commitment to the welfare of persons with disabilities. He has left in Anambra an enduring legacy that the future generation would enjoy.”
Ezewuzie, a lawyer, further said that “Governor Obiano does not do anything without thinking about people living with disabilities. That is why he appointed one of us a member of the airport committee to ensure that the terminal buildings have the accessibility standard required of all airports around the world.”
Ezewuzie, who said that he had travelled to over 50 airports, stated that Anambra international cargo and Passenger Airport remains at the forefront of airports with disabilities accessibility features.
According to him, “part of these accessibility features are the wheelchair ramps and other hearing devices, strategically constructed at every entrance of the airport facilities to enable persons with disabilities use the airport comfortably. Every accessibility requirement and standard was made in accordance with the United Nation’s Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities in compliance with Anambra State’s Disabilities Rights Law.”
Ezewuzie said the Disabilities Rights Commission recently established by the governor would further help in implementing the provisions of the Disabilities Rights Law.
Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, Ugochukwu Okeke, thanked the governor for providing the facility for the people of the state.
Comrade Okeke maintained that the disabilities community, by the visit, confirmed the standard of the airport and the facilities built to help the disabilities community in the state.