Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Bayelsa have demanded inclusion in benefits accruing to oil-host communities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The PWDs made the demand on Tuesday during a courtesy visit on King Wapaebiama Amakiri, of Obhal-Emeyal Clan, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking during the visit, the Coordinator of the group, Mr Philip Godfrey said PWDs had been excluded from the Host Community Development Trust Fund benefit structure.
Godfrey said there had previously been no Act obligating their inclusion in the benefit structure of the Host Community Development Trust Fund.
He commended the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Ford Foundation for making the advocacy movement possible.
Godfrey said PWDs had been excluded, discriminated against and disconnected for a very long time, despite the PIA being in existence for about five years.
He said pollution did not discriminate against anyone, adding that it affected PWDs more than able-bodied persons.
The coordinator said PWDs had been excluded for too long and that it was not supposed to be so.
He said the law had created an opportunity for PWDs to make their voices heard.
According to him, PWDs should benefit from oil exploration because some of them came from oil-producing communities and also suffered the effects of pollution.
“PWDs are not feeling among, if we are feeling the pain, we should also feel the benefits of oil exploration because some of us also come from oil producing communities,” he said.
Responding, Amakiri said the world had come to recognise that disability did not mean incapacitation, adding that PWDs were disabled but capable.
He said the setback associated with disability should no longer be used as a disadvantage against persons living with disabilities.
He said gone were the days when PWDs were regarded as beggars on the streets, adding that they could contribute meaningfully to societal development.
Amakiri said that, if given the right opportunity, PWDs could contribute meaningfully to the development of society.
On the PIA issue, he said he would discuss with fellow traditional rulers in charge of oil-producing communities in the clan.
He said they would deliberate on the issue at their meeting, noting that oil pollution affected both able-bodied persons and PWDs.
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