August 03, (THEWILL) — The Benue State House of Assembly has passed two significant bills — the Benue State Disability Bill and the Benue State Protection Agency Bill — into law.
The legislative action took place during plenary on Thursday, with lawmakers stating that the Disability Law aims to establish a commission that will address critical issues affecting persons with disabilities, including stigmatization, access to infrastructure, information and communication technology, healthcare, education, and employment.
Also passed was the Benue State Protection Agency Bill, which seeks to provide a legal framework for offering social assistance to internally displaced persons across the state.
Presenting the lead debate on the Disability Bill, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mrs. Ladi Danladi, said the legislation is designed to strengthen the rights and protection of people living with disabilities in the state.
She noted that Benue remained the only state in North Central Nigeria yet to domesticate the national disability law.
On his part, Minority Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. Cephas Dyako, presented the committee’s report on the Protection Agency Bill, urging members to support the clean copy for final passage.
Following deliberations, the Clerk of the House, Mr. John Hwande, read both bills for the third time, after which they were unanimously passed into law by the Assembly.
