Ebonyi State Passes Disability Rights Law

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a bill for the establishment of Ebonyi State Disability Rights Commission law, and it emerged first in the Country on such law.

The law which shall be cited as HAB 003 of 2025 enjoyed a unanimous endorsement from members of the House with accolades on the State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru for his all inclusive administration in the State. 

The passage of the bill which took place at the Legislative Complex Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki was witnessed by students of Ebonyi State University Law Faculty who were on excursion on the process of law making.  

Extolling the importance of the bill, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Moses Odunwa said the bill was apt as it provided for equal opportunities to all categories of persons in the society especially those with disabilities in the scheme of things. 

According to Chief Odunwa, the State Government by provisions of the law shall be obligated to provide access to quality healthcare, walk ways, sign language interpreters and parking lots in public places for persons living with disabilities and as well highlighted punishments for offenders and thanked Governor Nwifuru for always protecting every interest in his administration. 

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Comrade Chinedu Onah and the Chief Whip, Chief Nkemka Okoro-Onuma described the law as humanitarian for which the seventh Assembly is most proud of and shall be remembered for as the bill when passed, would provide equal opportunities for both the disabled and the abled alike for proper integration in the society and shall harness their special strength and abilities for better economic well-being of the State and Country at large.

Others including; the Deputy Chief Whip, Chief Joseph Ununu, Hon. Friday ogbuewu, Hon. Chikezie Igu, Chief( Mrs) Chinyere Nwogbaga, Hon. Aloysius Nwodo among others said, the passage of the bill would promote the rights and needs of the physically challenged, and give them a sense of belonging and job opportunities. 

They described it as a veritable opportunity for them to explore and maximize their potentials and therefore voted for the passage of the bill. 

In an interview, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Uruchi-Odo who described the bill as long overdo, commended the Governor, the Speaker, and the House members for the passage of the bill, saying that the State has become an arrowhead in administration of modern justice throughout the federation and expressed hope that implementation of the law would bring about a better livelihood for persons living with disabilities. 

On his part, the Coordinator of persons with disabilities Ebonyi Central, Comrade Ifeanyi Nwokporo expressed happiness over the passage of the bill and thanked the State actors for their thoughtfulness. 

The Disability Rights commission when established would have six persons of both genders at the administrative cadre with a person with disability as the Executive Chairman.