The Zamfara State Government has been called upon to as a matter of urgency establish a state disability board which will, among other things, safeguard persons with disabilities in the state from all forms of discriminations and promote their access and opportunities in all aspects of living.
This is contained in a statement made by the Speaker State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. *Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya* (Tafidan Kanwa) while heading a plenary deliberating on the state Social Protection and Disability Bills’ reports laid before the house by the committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare and that of Parliamentary Forum for further legislative actions.
Presenting the reports before the house, the Chairmen, committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare and that of Parliamentary Forum who were assigned to scrutinize the bills, engage stakeholders for input, make any necessary adjustment and report back to the house, Hon. Kabiru Magaji, Kwatarkwashi and Hon. Nasiru Lawal Bungudu called on their colleagues to receive the reports, deliberate and agree to read the bills for the 3rd time and pass same into law.
The reports further had it that, there shall be established state social protection and disability funds to be financed by government and from diffident sources. The disability board shall comprise a part-time chairman and six other part-time members with at least two women representative, and all members shall be persons with disabilities, while the Governor shall, subject to the recommendation of the State Head of Service, appoint the Executive Secretary from the state civil service.
In their separate contributions after making observations, Hon. Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma, Hon. Kabir Hashimu Dansadau and the presenter of the report, Hon. Nasiru Bello Lawal Bungudu, argued that the two Bills, if passed into law, will complement the government efforts in addressing the issues of vulnerability.
After a thorough deliberation by the house which led to additional amendment in the report of Disability Bill, the Speaker, Hon. Nasir Mu’azu Magarya, with a unanimous consent of the members, directed the clerk of the house to read the two bills for the 3rd read and after which the Zamfara State Social Protection and Disability Bills were passed into law by the State House of Assembly. Copies of the laws would be submitted to the Executive Governor for his assent. Also speaking on behalf of the two committees, Hon. Nasir Lawal Bungudu thanked the Hon. Speaker and the entire Members for giving them the mandate and appreciates the support of Save the Children International.
