The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called for the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 across the Niger Delta, including Anambra State.

The Acting Director of CCD, Godwin Unumeri, made the call on Thursday in Awka at a two-day workshop on the PIA 2021 organised by the centre with support from the Ford Foundation.

The workshop with the theme “Ending Barriers Against Niger Deltans with Disabilities,” was aimed at strengthening the capacity of PWDs to advocate for their inclusion in the Act’s benefit structures.

Mr Unumeri said that despite provisions such as the Host Community Development Trusts, PWDs remained largely excluded, describing the situation as a violation of their rights under national laws and international conventions.

He noted that Anambra State’s emergence as an oil-producing state held prospects for increased revenue, infrastructure development and job creation but also raised concerns about environmental degradation and marginalisation of vulnerable groups.

“PWDs are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation resulting from oil exploration, yet they are not included in the PIA benefit framework,” he said.

According to him, the workshop is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to demand inclusion in the implementation of the Act.

Also speaking, Blessing Ononogbu of CCD described disability as a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment that, in interaction with barriers, limits full and equal participation in the society.

She cited a 2018 World Bank estimate indicating that about 29 million Nigerians live with one form of disability, adding that the number was rising due to conflicts, accidents, violence and inadequate healthcare.

Ms Ononogbu said PWDs were among the most vulnerable groups affected by oil and gas exploration, with many losing their traditional livelihoods.

“They require deliberate care and support to access services that are rightfully theirs,” she said.

In her presentation, Florence Attah, Senior Programme Officer at CCD, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting disability rights through advocacy and capacity building.

Ms Attah said the centre was focused on empowering PWDs to demand their rightful inclusion in development policies, including the PIA framework.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State chapter, Ugochukwu Okeke, commended CCD for championing inclusive policies.

Mr Okeke expressed optimism that participants would gain the necessary knowledge to effectively engage stakeholders and advocate for their inclusion in the implementation of the Act.

(NAN)