After several attempts to have the Osun State Disability Bill presented on the floor of the State House of Assembly, Persons with Disabilities in Osun are suffering hugely as due to absence of the bill in the State, InsightMedia can confirm.
The Bill, which was aimed at domesticating the National Disability Act 2018, which was passed by the National Assembly in January 2019, seeks to provide quality lives for the persons with disabilities in Osun State.
Lawmaker representing Obokun State Constituency, Hon Adewumi Adeyemi, who had earlier mooted made the moves to present the bill on the floor of the 7th Assembly, confirmed his readiness to represent the bill on the floor of the House next week.
Adeyemi said, “I had the intention of presenting the bills on the floor of the house during the last Assembly but it couldn’t see the light of the day due to some political considerations. But all is now set for the presentation of the Bill next week.
“Seeking quality lives for persons with disabilities is a responsibility of all of us and I believe with the present leadership of the House, the bill will be passed as soon as possible.” Adeyemi said during a chat with InsightMedia at his office on Monday.
We have tried our best but meet stiff resistance – JONAPWDS
Speaking with InsightMedia on Sunday, the Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWDs) Mr Stephen Oluwafemi said the association has been struggling to ensure the bill is presented and passed since the administration of Former Governor Rauf Aregbesola but all efforts proved abortive.
He said his colleagues protested at different points during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola but no results as the then Speaker, Timothy Owoeye did not yield to their yearnings.
Oluwafemi said, “Concerning the issue of that bill, it has been in the Osun State House of Assembly since the time of APC. In fact the governor then (Oyetola) was also part of the matter, we protested and did all we could within our capabilities, but to no avail. What they told us was that the issue is still pending at the Ministry of Justice, which we knew was not true.
‘We also raised this issue when the new administration (Adeleke’s administration) was inaugurated. The governor gave an executive order that works should commence on it with immediate effect but up till date nothing positive has come through it.” Oluwafemi said.
Speaking on the impacts the bill will have if passed to law, the JONAPWDs Chairman said, “bill is passed into law there are lots of benefits for our members. The percentage for PWDs in employments and more importantly, it will eradicate discrimination against PWDs in the society. These are very important for our emancipation.”
Financial constraints restricted it in the 6th Assembly – Olatunji
Speaking with InsightMedia, a member of the 6th Osun Assembly (2015-2019), Hon. Tunde Olatunji said he mooted the presentation of the bill that time but the cash crunch affecting the State hindered its presentation.
Olatunji said it was only mentioned in the 7th Assembly but was neither presented not debated.
He said, “I wanted to present the bill in 2016 but the State was experiencing cash crunch then, so the need for us to take a caution as all hands were on deck to find solution to the financial constraints facing the State.”
Adeleke will be ready to assent to the bill – Spokesperson
In his reaction to the delay facing the presentation of the bill, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke said his principal has at a programme organised for persons with disabilities in April, given the directive that the bill should be presented in the house, stating that he’s ready to assent to it moment it’s passed.
Rasheed said the implementation of the bill will be done as the “Governor has good intentions for the PWDs.”
He, however express some worries on the implementation of the bill, stating that some considerations and concessions will be done in order to ensure that PWDs are not let down. “This is necessary as the financial status of the state must be considered.”
Disabilities Bill, best thing to happen to PWDs – Expert
An expert in the sector and the Executive Director of the Community Advancement Initiative for Self Reliance, Dr Benjamin Ayeni has described the bill as the best thing that can happen to PWDs in every State.
Ayeni, during a chat with our correspondent on Tuesday in Osogbo, said the law will not only provide opportunities for persons with disabilities but also give them legal protection in terms of employment, empowerment and other opportunities available to every other persons.
Ayeni said, “I think the best thing that can happen to persons living with disabilities is for that bill to be domesticated because it has been passed at the national level. The Disabilities Bill provides legal framework for affected persons not to be at the mercy of the political office holders to do all the needful for them. It will go beyond ‘let us assist you’ and become a law.
“So when the law is passed or when it’s domesticated, it will surely provide quality lives for people living with disabilities because education activities will be inclusive, economic activities will be inclusive, the banking activities will also be inclusive.”
Ayeni also urged the Osun Assembly to ensure vital aspects of the bill are not watered down as the no clause is useless.
