Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has signed the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Bill into law.
Governor Diri assented to the bill on Wednesday during the 188th State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as describing the PWD legislation as “profound” and “the people’s law,” noting that it guarantees dignity, equal opportunity, and fair treatment for all Bayelsans, regardless of their physical condition.
The governor commended the sponsor of the bill, Dr. Charles Daniel, member representing Brass Constituency I in the House of Assembly, for his persistence, describing it as one of the best pieces of legislation from the state legislature.
He also lauded the Speaker and members of the Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill, noting that the law would address the exclusion of persons with disabilities in public and private infrastructure.
His words: “I had directed the Deputy Governor, when he was the Chief of Staff, to initiate an Executive Bill that would take care of our brothers and sisters living with disabilities. I was later informed that there was already a private member’s bill sponsored by Dr. Daniel, and so I directed the executive arm to work with him. That is the product we have today.
“For me, this is one of the best pieces of legislation that has come out of the State House of Assembly.
“I commend members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and the very hardworking Speaker for giving prompt attention to this bill and passing it with the speed of light.”
The governor acknowledged that PWDs in the state had recognized the government’s interventions even before the law was enacted, adding that his administration’s performance would not be measured by physical projects alone.
According to him, “We often build houses and public infrastructure without considering entrances and parking spaces for our brothers and sisters with disabilities.
“I’m happy that the chairman of the PWD association has acknowledged most of what this government has been doing, even without this law, to ensure that we do not leave them out.”
The new law is expected to strengthen protection, accessibility, and inclusion for PWDs in the state.
Earlier, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, said the PWD Agency Bill had its first reading on October 15, 2024, and was passed after its third reading on March 18, 2026.
Ingobere said the agency would have a part-time chairman appointed by the governor and a Director-General, who would oversee its day-to-day operations and must be a person with a disability.
The Speaker stated that, when established, the agency would ensure that facilities such as public transport, public parking lots, and public buildings are accessible to persons with disabilities.
He also said that one out of every 10 seats in a public bus would be reserved for persons with disabilities, while suitable spaces would be properly marked and reserved for them in public parking lots.
Speaking on behalf of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Bayelsa State Chapter, the chairman, Mr. Mayor Doutiminariye, said the governor had been a father figure and had ensured, since the inception of his administration, that persons with disabilities enjoyed the protection and recognition of the state government.
Mr. Doutiminariye thanked the governor for performing what he described as a “miracle” by signing the bill into law.
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