Public Hearing Scheduled for Delta State Protection of Persons with Disability Bill
ASABA/Nigeria: A significant step towards advancing the rights and protection of persons with disabilities in Delta State has been announced with the scheduling of a public hearing on the Delta State Protection of Persons with Disability Bill. The announcement was made by the Assembly Joint Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Girl Child Entrepreneurship, and Humanitarian Support Services, along with the Special Committee on Bills, responsible for scrutinizing the proposed legislation.
In a statement issued by Hon Bridget Anyafulu, Chairman of the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Girl Child Entrepreneurship, and Humanitarian Support Services, it was revealed that the public hearing is set to take place on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the Press Center, Delta State House of Assembly Complex, located on Okpanam Road in Asaba. The proceedings are scheduled to commence at 10 o’clock in the morning.
Stakeholder participation is emphasized in the statement, with interested individuals, organizations, and the general public encouraged to contribute to the legislative process. Hon Anyafulu stressed the importance of stakeholders’ inputs in shaping the proposed law, urging those who have not yet submitted memoranda to bring them to the public hearing.
The call for written contributions was initially made by Hon Anyafulu as part of the committee’s mandate. Various organizations, institutions, and individuals, including Delta State Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services, and Girl Child Development, were invited to provide input. Additionally, contributions were sought from the Directorate of Establishment and Pensions, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), among others.
Memoranda are required to be submitted in twenty copies, enclosed in sealed envelopes and addressed to the Committee, clearly marked with “Delta State Protection of Persons with Disability Bill.” The deadline for submissions is before the scheduled date of the public hearing on the following Monday.
Following the public hearing, the joint committee is expected to convene to analyze and discuss the inputs received from various stakeholders before presenting its report during plenary sessions. The bill, which was referred to the joint committee after its second reading at a plenary session chaired by Speaker Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor on January 24, 2024, signifies a significant legislative effort towards addressing the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities in Delta State.
