Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Edo State have called on the Federal Government to amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to reserve at least five per cent of employment opportunities in oil companies for qualified individuals with disabilities.
This demand was contained in a charter of inclusion developed at the conclusion of a three-day capacity-building workshop held in Benin City. The workshop, organised by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and supported by the Ford Foundation, focused on mainstreaming disability inclusion in the implementation of the PIA across the Niger Delta region.
Held under the theme “Ending Barriers Against Niger Deltans with Disabilities (EBAND),” the workshop brought together stakeholders from disability communities in Edo to articulate their position on inclusive development.
A key recommendation in the charter called on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to mandate oil companies operating in host communities to allocate a minimum of five per cent of jobs to PWDs, in line with provisions of the National Disability Act.
The charter further urged the inclusion of PWDs in the management and benefits structure of Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs), as established by the PIA. Specific calls were made for accessible infrastructure in PIA-funded projects, provision of educational scholarships, equitable healthcare services, and comprehensive data collection on PWDs residing in oil-producing communities.
The group also advocated for the active involvement of persons with disabilities in the needs assessment processes for host communities, to ensure that their concerns and priorities are properly addressed. In addition, it demanded the integration of disability rights into the Trust Deeds and governance structures of HCDTs.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Godwin Unumeri, Acting Director of CCD, described the charter as a unified expression of the aspirations of PWDs in Edo State. He stressed the need for government agencies and private stakeholders to ensure that disability inclusion becomes a fundamental part of the PIA implementation strategy.
“While we appreciate ongoing efforts, we must ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the economic benefits flowing from the oil and gas sector,” Unumeri said. “Beyond philanthropy, we encourage PWDs to actively pursue opportunities across the public and private sectors.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Ann Ojugo, Chairperson of the Edo chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), commended the CCD and the Ford Foundation for their consistent support. She pledged to disseminate the workshop outcomes to grassroots stakeholders to ensure wider engagement and impact.
