Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The Ogoni Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (OGAPWD) has known as on President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Ogoni Dialogue and Consultation (ODC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to make sure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in ongoing discussions on the longer term of Ogoniland.
The affiliation additionally demanded disability-inclusive employment alternatives and higher participation in growth programmes linked to the proposed resumption of oil manufacturing within the space.
Speaking throughout a press briefing in Port Harcourt, OGAPWD President-General, Baridapdoo Ngo, stated dialogue on Ogoniland’s future could be incomplete with out the illustration of individuals with disabilities.
“We are not opposed to dialogue. We are not opposed to development. We oppose exclusion, discrimination and decisions that determine our future without our participation,” she stated.
Ngo urged the ODC management to incorporate nominated representatives of the affiliation in its dialogue buildings and related committees, stressing the necessity for accessible assembly venues and communication help.
He stated individuals with disabilities ought to take part meaningfully in discussions on environmental remediation, employment, safety and group growth relatively than being invited merely for ceremonial functions.
“Inclusion is not charity. Representation is not a favour. Accessibility is not a privilege. These are matters of rights, dignity and equal citizenship,” he stated.
On employment, OGAPWD expressed concern over stories that NNPC Ltd was providing 40 positions related with Ogoni engagement below the Confidence Building Measures (CBM).
The affiliation known as on the nationwide oil firm to make clear the recruitment standards and clarify how certified candidates with disabilities had been being thought-about.
It demanded that no less than 5 per cent of the 40 positions be allotted to certified Ogoni candidates with disabilities, citing Section 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
OGAPWD additionally requested a proper assembly with NNPC Ltd and requested the corporate to reply to its considerations inside 15 days.
The affiliation stated it supported a accountable and lawful resumption of oil manufacturing, offered the method prioritised environmental safety, transparency, public well being and the rights of affected communities.
It additional urged the Federal Government to deal with the demand for Bori State via the suitable constitutional course of, describing the difficulty as central to its place on Ogoni self-determination.
OGAPWD appealed to conventional rulers, political leaders, youth organisations and group stakeholders to make sure that individuals with disabilities benefited from employment, expertise acquisition, enterprise help and different growth initiatives.
The affiliation urged the Federal Government, ODC and NNPC Ltd to take concrete steps to make sure that individuals with disabilities had been represented in choices affecting Ogoniland’s political, financial and environmental future.
“Our message is simple: no exclusion in dialogue, no discrimination in employment, no development without inclusion,” Ngo stated.
