As the world marks the annual World Disability Day today, hope of improved and better welfare package for people living with disabilities in Ekiti State received a major boast, as the State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni gave his assent to a law promoting and protecting their rights and other related matters.

Signing the law, which was among the eight laws assented to by the governor today, Governor Oni reiterated the commitment of his administration to the well-being of all physically challenged people in the State, adding that the new law would be implemented to the letter.

Apart from making it mandatory for any department of government to have persons with disabilities make up two percent of its workforce, the new law also provides among other things that; “Every person with disability who is an indigene of Ekiti State shall be entitled to automatic scholarship at all levels at State Government approved rates in public schools, government sponsored boarding facilities in State Government Senior Secondary Schools operating boarding system, government sponsored medical care in all government health institutions in the State and free regular routine medical check-up in all state health institutions.”

Also, priority consideration shall be given to persons with disabilities in the State Micro-Credit Programmes, housing and car loans programmes for public servants in the State, payment of retirement benefits to employees in the public service.

The other laws included that of the University of Science and Technology, Ifaki-Ekiti (No 10), 2009 revised appropriation law (No 4), Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency Law (No 9), a law to make provision for the use of certificates of birth, death and burial in Ekiti State (No 7), a law to regulate the operations of commercial motorcycle operators in Ekiti state (No 8) and a law to amend the Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission Law No 4 of 2003.

Governor Oni, who stressed that the eight laws would reinforce the policies of his administration towards the socio-economic transformation of the state, stated that the passage of the bills into law by the State House of Assembly was a testimony that the State Legislature was undoubtedly the most productive legislative house in Nigeria.

“Today’s event is a clear testimony that the Ekiti State House of Assembly (EKHA) is undoubtedly the most productive Legislative House in Nigeria today.

“This is in spite of the 13:13 scenario in the House. Our legislators have shown great sportsmanship. They have shown to the world that in spite of the fact they belong to two different parties, Ekiti is one indivisible entity. They have further demonstrated that the business of moving Ekiti forward is a task for all,” he said.

He paid glowing tribute to members of the House of Assembly, particularly members of opposition Action Congress (AC) for considering the interest of the State ahead of other partisan interests.