Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Bayelsa State have demanded inclusion in benefits accruing to oil-host communities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The PWDs made the demand during a visit to King Wapaebiama Amakiri, of Obhal-Emeyal Clan, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking during the visit, coordinator of the group, Mr Philip Godfrey, noted that PWDs had been excluded from the benefits of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF).
Godfrey said there had been no Act obligating their inclusion in the benefits accruing to host communities.
He commended the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Ford Foundation for making the advocacy movement possible.
Godfrey said PWDs, notwithstanding the provisions of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, on their inclusion in all facets of Nigerian society, had consistently been excluded, discriminated against and disconnected from community benefits.
He observed that 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 Disability Law had created opportunities 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 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 setbacks 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, but now they could contribute meaningfully to societal development.
Amakiri said that if given the opportunity, PWDs could contribute meaningfully to the development of society.
On the PIA issue, he said he would discuss it 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.