Gombe speaker pledges speedy passage of PWDs bill

Mr Luggerewo made the pledge at a one-day committee retreat to harness public hearing inputs on the proposed law on Tuesday in Bauchi.

News Agency of Nigeria • August 21, 2024

Abubakar Luggerewo (Credit: Facebook)

The speaker of the Gombe House Assembly, Abubakar Luggerewo, says they are committed to the speedy passage of the Disability Protection Law and the Establishment of State Disability Commission Bill, which will boost the welfare and protection of people with disabilities.

Mr Luggerewo made the pledge at a one-day committee retreat to harness public hearing inputs on the proposed law on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said the assembly had prioritised the bill and the establishment of Gombe State Disability Commission and other matters related on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, for the first and second reading.

According to Mr Luggerewo, achieving a legislative landmark on the eve of the Democracy Day celebration demonstrated the commitment and dedication of the assembly to democratic values and responsiveness to the community of PWDs, “which makes us pacesetter to other assemblies.”

“We will work assiduously to see that the bill sees the light of the day and also receives the blessings of Governor Inuwa Yahaya,” the speaker said.

According to him, the Gombe State Disability Protection Law is not just a piece of legislation but a declarations of commitment to the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their abilities.

The programme manager of Inclusive Friends Awareness, Moses Oluwaseyi, said the retreat for the legislators was organised by the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) with the support of USAID and Palladium.

“The Advocacy for Disability Act has appealed to the Women Affairs and Special Duties Committee of Gombe State House of Assembly to hasten action on the six-week public hearing on disability bill, which recently scaled first and second readings,” Mr Oluwaseyi said.

He said Gombe had demonstrated interest and commitment to issues that concern the disability community and that ADAC remained optimistic that in no time, the state would join the league of inclusive states in Nigeria.

Mr Oluwaseyi said that ADAC remained resolute in their commitment to providing the necessary support for the empowerment and dreams of PWDs.

(NAN)

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