The Imo House of Assembly has passed a Bill to repeal the Imo State Agency for persons living with disabilities Establishment law No. 8 of 2017 and to enact a Law to domesticate the discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibition Act of 2018 in Imo.
This development followed the consideration of the report of the House Committee on Humanitarian Affairs headed by Mr Benard Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano) at a committee of the whole house during the assembly’s plenary session on Wednesday.
The Committee presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Amarachi Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele) who read the report.
According to the committee report, the bill which was read for the second time on March 13, 2024 also went through a public hearing on May 3, 2024.
It also read that amendments were made to the bill following suggestions and submissions from various stakeholders.
C – Advocate recalls that the bill’s sponsor, Mr Innocent Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli) during the second reading of the bill said it was aimed at ending discrimination against persons with disabilities.
He also outlined the entitlements of disabled persons to ensure their quality of life is improved as well as sanctions for defaulters.
Following the consideration of the report, members of the house voted in favour of its passage following which the deputy speaker directed the Clerk, Mrs Chinelo Emeghara to convey a clean copy to the governor for assent.
