Bauchi state chairman of Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) Iliya Ismail Danmaryamu has called on the Bauchi state government under the leadership of Sen. Bala A. Muhammad (Kauran Bauchi) to resuscitate the suspended Bauchi state Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
The agency which was established sequel to the law which has been passed by the Bauchi state House of assembly and assented by the former executive Governor of Bauchi state Mal. (Dr.) Isa Yuguda on 2rd day of May, 2010.
Section 3(1) of the agency’s law provided that:
“There shall be an established body to be known as Bauchi state Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The law states that the agency should be established and to be placed under the Governor’s office.” The agency vested with the responsibilities of full social integration of the persons with disabilities in Bauchi into the society particularly through provision of economic, education, counseling and psychotherapy needs. By suspending the activities of the agency by the immediate passed administration of the former Governor Barrister. M.A Abubakar in 2015, the plight of millions of indigenes of the state who suffer one form of disability or the other are in precarious circumstances.
It is imperative that if the agency is resuscitated, it would provide recognition and protect persons with disabilities in the state from discrimination and harmful practices while building their economic wellbeing. It serves as a link between PWDs and government. The agency like National commission for Persons with Disabilities which is yet to be established is saddled with the responsibility for the following objectives, economic, social and education objectives as contained in section 16.(economics objectives) 17.(social objectives) 18.(education objectives) and 33, Rights to life both under the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy and fundamental Rights of the Constitution of FRN, 1999 (as amended).
Bauchi state government has the Ministry of women affairs and child development, Ministry of youths and sports and also established Agency for youths and women. It is only the agency that cater for the persons with disabilities was suspended. This is discrimination and inequality to the highest level against the PWDs in Bauchi state.
It also contravenes the Article 1,3,4 and 5 of the United Nations Convention for the Rights of persons with disabilities. It also negates goal 10 of the sustainable development goals which is to “Reduced inequalities “and no one will be Left behind.
He pleaded to Governor Bala A. Muhammad to show compassion and heed to the cry of the most marginalized group and bring back the Agency and make all the necessary appointments to the agency for its proper take off.