by Nurat Uthman
The Taraba State House of Assembly has advanced a bill to establish the Taraba State Persons Living with Disability Commission.
The bill, which passed through its second reading on Thursday, proposes to establish the Taraba State Persons Living with Disability Commission.
The commission, if established, will oversee the education, healthcare, and social, economic, and civil rights of persons living with disabilities in Taraba State.
Presiding over the debate, the Speaker of the House, John Kizito Bonzena, emphasised the significance of the bill, stating that it aims to fully integrate people with disabilities into society.
He also called for an immediate end to discrimination against individuals with disabilities, reminding the public that they are equal members of society.
On his part, the member representing Kurmi Constituency, Tafarki Agbadu Eneme, who went ahead to present the bill’s summary, said the bill seeks to improve service delivery and collaboration between persons with disabilities and service providers.
In their remarks, both the members representing Wukari One, Josiah Yaro, and Bali One, Veronica Alhassan, expressed their support for the bill.
Highlighting the long-standing discrimination faced by people with disabilities, they believed that establishing the commission would greatly benefit this marginalized group.
The bill is said to have been referred to the Committee on Social Welfare for further deliberation, and a public hearing will be scheduled.
