From Our Correspondent
Awka, Aug. 14, ’25 (TNZ) The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has appealed to the Anambra State government and oil companies to include persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the socio-economic benefits of the sector.
TheNewsZenith reports that Mr Godwin Unumeri, Acting Director of CCD, made the call at a three-day workshop on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, on Wednesday in Awka.
Ford Foundation sponsored the workshop with the theme: “Ending Barriers Against Niger Deltans with Disabilities”.
Unumeri expressed grief over the exclusion of PWDs from the PIA 2021.
He said there was a need to ensure their inclusion in the benefit structures outlined in the Act across the Niger Delta region, including Anambra.
“Anambra recently became an oil-producing state, promising more revenue, basic projects and job creation.
“But there are also rising concerns about environmental degradation and exclusion of people with disabilities.
“PWDs are majorly affected by environmental degradation due to oil exploration. Yet, they are not included in the PIA benefit structure.
“The goal of this workshop is to develop a charter of demands to ensure equal opportunities in employment, training, community projects and decision-making processes,” TheNewsZenith quotes Unumerinas saying.
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Also speaking, Ms. Florence Attah, Senior Programme Officer of the CCD, defined disability as a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment.
When combined with barriers, Attah said this could hinder their equal participation in society.
According to her, CCD is committed to promoting disability rights and development through advocacy and capacity building to empower PWDs.
Mr Anthony Ifeanya, Anambra State’s Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, also spoke at the event.
Ifeanyi, represented by Mr Christian Obiadi, acknowledged the importance of inclusivity in the state’s economic prosperity.
He said the outcome from the workshop would help the government achieve a disability-inclusive framework.
Mr Okafor Amanke, Chairman, Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, Anambra Chapter, sought an equitable management of oil resources in the state. (TNZ)
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