Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Anambra State Disabilities Rights Commission (ASDRC) has made move for a collaboration with the State Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) towards the implementation of the Disability Rights law.
The collaboration will see the Commission and the government agency ensure that buildings, structures, and facilities built for public use comply with the provisions of the law.
During a meeting with BPP on Tuesday, the commission said chief among the provisions is the need to ensure that structures for construction have accessibility features conducive to persons with disabilities (PWDs) before approvals by the agency.
ASDRC Chairman, Barr. Chuks Ezewuzie, said synergy between the two bodies is crucial for eliminating discrimination against persons with disabilities and promoting inclusivity championed by the current government of the state.
He urged the agency to ensure that designs and plans for public facilities are received and inspected by the commission before issuing a certificate of no objection before the approvals.
According to him, “BPP approves the award of contracts for roads and other facilities. I want the agency to ensure that before any project is approved, the disabilities commission receives and inspects the project to ascertain the accessibility features for issuance of a certificate of no objection before approvals and construction.”
He said designs that are up for approval should conform to the building codes provided by the law. He emphasised that the law is a domestication of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which Nigeria is a signatory.
He said Anambra has been known for setting the pace for others, especially after her record as the first state in the South-East, Nigeria, to have the disabilities law. He said said the feat was what prompted other states in the region and beyond to follow in enacting the law in their states.
Ezewuzie said the state should not rest on its oars. According to him: “We are not yet satisfied because we want other states to know that BPP in Anambra does not approve any project unless it complies with the international requirements on accessibility features.”
He said the commission is available to provide techniques and expertise needed to ensure that persons with disabilities in the state are at par with their counterparts in other developed countries.
He also said the installation of audible signals at traffic lights will be a great help to the blind community and will give them a sense of independence especially while using roads in the state.
Earlier, Chidimma Ajemba, enjoined the agency to ensure that public and private facilities are usable to persons with disabilities, citing that there are already existing public facilities built by previous administrations that are not disabilities friendly. She also decried that most of the pedestrian bridges in the state are not accessible to PWDs especially those on wheelchairs.
She said Section 23 of the Disability law emphasised that before a plan is approved for a public structure, relevant authorities should make sure that such plans have facilities for persons with disabilities. She also said a copy of the building plans should be made available to the commission to ascertain if such proposed structures complied with the provisions of the law.
Responding, the General Manager/CEO, of Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, Architect Okey Ezeobi, commended the commission for the partnership but noted that the state is already complying with the law of making public facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.
“Some facilities that are being built in the state now by the government are made sure that they comply with the building codes. It is not just about accessibility to buildings but we make sure that other utilities are involved.
“Everybody must be able to use public buildings because it is meant for all. If we were observant when the governor was talking about roads, he mentioned that all the roads must have walkways by the sides.
“That is to tell how far the state government has gone in providing accessibilities for the people. The government is ambitious and focused on this to make it accessible,” Ezeobi said.
