By: Amb. Anthony Akalugo
IZUNASO MOVES MOTION URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO FULLY IMPLEMENT PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ACT 2018
National Grandpatron of people living with Disabilities, PLWD, and Distinguished Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Sen. Osita Bonaventure Izunaso has continued to shine like a million stars in the firmament pushing for a society where the vulnerable People are properly accommodated.
Consenting to the philosophy that a society is as strong as the measure of its vulnerable class, Sen. Izunaso is not just a ceremonial grandpatron of people living with Disabilities, PLWD, but a hands-on promoter of their affairs.
Recall that in his first tenure in the Senate, Izunaso sponsored the bill that later got signed into law as Disabilities Act. He has now taken the centre stage to remind the government that full implementation of the act is crucial to attaining egalitarian society.
The chairman Senate Committee on Capital Market stressed that building construction, design and construction of public places, and transport facilities are not yet being designed in compliance with the need to be sensitive to the comfort of people living with Disabilities in the country. According to the learned gentleman, individuals living with Disabilities are finding it difficult to move independently, access education, secure employment, and engage in social activities. This according to him is impeding their rights to freedom and limiting the wellbeing of the society.
In the motion, he presented on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Izunaso urged that the commission that handles affairs of people living with Disabilities should post sign language interpreters to the national Assembly to interpret both plenary proceedings and public hearings.
Also he prayed that a disability desk should be set up in the Senate to deal with all issues concerning disabilities and further urged the establishment of a standing Committee of the Senate for persons living with Disabilities.
Izunaso used the opportunity to commend the 23 states in the country that have so far domesticated the Disabilities Act 2018 and urged others to prioritize the Act and expedite its implementation in their respective states, in line with Human Rights convention and Rights of Persons living with disabilities. He further added that there should be intentional act to grant access in all Senate facilities to the people living with Disabilities.
The motion further prayed the government to effect provision of facilities and adequate budgetary allocation and funding for education, Healthcare, vocational training,, Assistive technology, and Accessibility Infrastructure for the people living with Disabilities, emphasizing that they will significantly impact the lives of these critical stakeholders in our society and global citizens.
The Senate unanimously supported the motion and passed it.
Sen. Osita Izunaso is no doubt promoting the SDG goals that encourage lives more bearable for the people and ensuring that there is equality and zero tolerance for segregation among the people, including People Living with Disabilities. He is committed to Sustainable Development agenda recognising the superiority of humanity over material segregation as what diminishes one diminishes all.
© Amb. Anthony Akalugo
Kpakpando Titanic Media, 2024
