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Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD),Kogi state chapter, has submitted a report to the government on physical accessibility audit on public infrastructure and spaces in the state.
National Chairman of the Association, Rilwan Mohammed, said since the establishment of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) in 2020, the association began the process of drafting the National Minimum Accessibility Code as a guide towards achieving accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and create an enabling barrier free environment.
People with disabilities in Kogi state have raised concern over barriers that exclude them from participating as equal citizens with their peers, citing accessibility to public infrastructure, utilities and spaces.
The Association commended Kogi state government under Yahaya Bello for enacting the State Disability Law to guarantee accessibility and participation of Persons with Physical Disabilities to all life endeavors
They are demanding accessible physical infrastructure, systems, services, and facilities that will enable people with disabilities to be protected from accidents at work places and during emergencies.
To achieve their goals of removing barriers, the association conducted the accessibility data of public infrastructure and services with drafted recommendations and submitted to the government for implemention .
The state Chairman of Persons with Physical Disabilities, Comrade Ibrahim Daniel Arome thanked Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for the foresight and wisdom given to him by the Almighty God to propose the disability law.
Arome assured that the association will definitely continue to be loyal to the Bello administration and therefore appealed to the government to implement the recommendations they brought before him
He also called for the cooperation of the relevant agencies in building, land and planning sectors to ensure implemention of the accessibility for Persons with Physical Disabilities in public buildings, infrastructure , services and utilities.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission for Persons with Physical disabilities, Barrister Zacheous Michael thanked Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello for setting up the Commission.
Zacheous who described Bello as the most disabilities friendly Governor, promised to carry out the accessibility for Persons with disabilies to public infrastructure and urged him to continue to be the first in mordernising the state and its people.
He said the Kogi of the Persons with Physical Disabilities has set up a committee to study the recommendations for onward transmission to the government for implemention.
He assumed the Government members of the public and Persons with Physical Disabilities the task must be done as he has confidence in the Kogi state Governor who has taste for good things.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that the Committee on the accessibility project, will engage Architects, Engineers, Town Planners and other relevant agencies.
