PWDs demand inclusion in PIA benefits structure

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) from oil-producing communities in Delta State have called for their inclusion in the benefit structures established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, arguing that they have been excluded from key decision-making and development opportunities.

The demand was made during a two-day advocacy workshop organised by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) at Orhoro Community in Uvwie Local Government Area. The programme, supported by the Ford Foundation, was held under the theme, “Ending Barriers Against Niger Deltans with Disabilities (EBAND).”

Speaking at the event, the Acting Director of CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, said the workshop was designed to educate participants on the provisions of the PIA and strengthen advocacy efforts aimed at securing greater inclusion for PWDs.

According to him, although the PIA was enacted to address development challenges in oil-producing communities, persons with disabilities have largely been left out of its benefit structures.

“The purpose of this programme is to ensure that PWDs are included in all the benefits provided under the PIA,” Unumeri said.

He noted that many training and empowerment programmes in host communities were targeted at men, women and youths, while PWDs were often excluded.

“Across many communities, various programmes are organised for women, men and youths, but persons with disabilities are not carried along. This exclusion requires sustained advocacy,” he said.

Unumeri described the exclusion of PWDs from PIA structures as systemic discrimination and urged them to remain united in pressing for their rights.

He also stressed the need for PWDs to be represented in decision-making processes relating to the implementation of the Act in oil-bearing communities.

“Stakeholders, including community leaders, oil companies and boards of trustees, must be continuously engaged on the importance of including persons with disabilities in decision-making structures,” he added.

Earlier, CCD’s Manager of Finance and Administration, Mrs Florence Austin, said the organisation was established in 2002 to promote equal opportunities, dignity and respect for persons with disabilities across Nigeria.

She said the organisation advocates for the rights of PWDs and empowers them with knowledge of relevant laws and policies.

“Persons with disabilities remain vulnerable to stigmatisation, discrimination, isolation and exclusion from decision-making processes. We advocate policies that protect and promote their rights,” Austin said.

She questioned why the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 were not adequately reflected in the PIA.

Also speaking, CCD Senior Programme Officer, Florence Attah, explained that the PIA requires oil companies to establish Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) and contribute three per cent of their previous year’s operating expenditure to the trusts.

She said the Act also provides for the establishment of Host Community Boards of Trustees (HCBoTs) and Host Community Advisory Committees (HCACs).

Attah expressed concern that persons with disabilities were not specifically represented within these structures.

She identified key implementation tools under the PIA as host community needs assessments, community development plans and community budgets.

“The PIA expressly provides for consultation with women, youths and community leaders, but does not make similar provisions for persons with disabilities,” she said.

According to her, one of CCD’s major concerns is how PWDs can benefit from the Act when discrimination and exclusion persist within host communities.

She urged participants to intensify advocacy efforts and engage stakeholders constructively to secure inclusion.

Attah said effective advocacy requires thorough research, consistency and preparation for possible resistance.

She also encouraged participants to present themselves professionally when engaging policymakers and community leaders.

Speaking after the workshop, Unumeri described the programme as successful, noting that participants had gained practical knowledge on advocacy strategies.

He said many participants acknowledged that they had previously engaged in advocacy without applying some of the techniques taught during the training.

“Advocacy is about influencing perceptions and encouraging people to support a cause. For PWDs, the goal is to secure inclusion in PIA benefit structures without prejudice and to demonstrate that qualified persons with disabilities can perform effectively in these roles,” he said.

Responding on behalf of participants, Mr Onyema Steven, representing the albinism cluster, thanked the organisers for the training.

He said the workshop had improved participants’ understanding of their rights and the importance of inclusion in PIA-related programmes and decision-making processes.

“The programme has empowered us to understand our rights and to educate other members of our communities who were unable to attend. It has been a valuable and enlightening experience,” Steven said.

The workshop featured practical demonstrations on engaging community leaders and Host Community Boards of Trustees on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in PIA benefit structures.

Participants were drawn from various disability groups, including persons with physical disabilities, albinism, visual impairment, hearing impairment and spinal cord injuries.