The disability community in Benue State on Wednesday hailed the passage of the Benue State Climate Change Law by the Benue State House of Assembly, describing it as a historic step toward inclusive climate governance and equitable climate action.
In a statement issued by Ms. Jacinta Igwilo, Chairperson of the Albinism Cluster under the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), the disability community commended the Benue State Government and the State House of Assembly for enacting a law that deliberately recognises the rights, participation, and leadership of women and persons with disabilities in climate decision-making.
According to Ms. Igwilo, the new legislation introduces critical provisions that ensure meaningful representation of women and persons with disabilities within the governance structures of the Benue State Council on Climate Change.
She noted that the representation will enable those most affected by climate risks to actively shape policies and solutions that respond to their lived realities.
“The climate crisis does not affect everyone equally. Women and persons with disabilities often face the harshest consequences of flooding, extreme heat, food insecurity, displacement, and barriers to accessing early warning information. This law recognises that inclusive climate governance is essential for building resilient communities,” she said.
Ms. Igwilo hailed the legislation which also established a groundbreaking provision allocating one percent of the State Climate Fund specifically to support disability-inclusive and gender-responsive climate innovation.
She described the development as a transformative measure that will enable persons with disabilities, particularly women and youth, to develop locally driven solutions in climate adaptation, sustainable livelihoods, and community resilience.
She pointed to the equally significant part of the law’s commitment to accessible climate information, mandating that climate communication including early warning systems be provided in formats accessible to persons with disabilities, noting that the provision will be expected to improve disaster preparedness and ensure that no one is left behind during climate emergencies.
Ms. Igwilo acknowledged the collaborative advocacy efforts that contributed to the inclusive provisions within the law, particularly recognising the leadership of disability organisations and the support of development partners in ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities were reflected in the legislative process.
According to her, the support of the Disability Rights Fund, the Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiative (HAPI) worked closely with the leadership of JONAPWD in Benue State to strengthen advocacy for disability-inclusive climate governance and equitable access to climate finance.
She noted that the engagements helped ensure that the perspectives of persons with disabilities were integrated into the final framework of the law.
“This achievement demonstrates the power of timely collective advocacy and partnership. It sends a strong message that climate justice must include disability justice,” Ms. Igwilo added.
Meanwhile, the disability community also commended the Benue State Council on Climate Change, Benue State Ministry of Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, and members of the State House of Assembly for recognising climate change as a development issue that requires inclusive solutions.
Ms. Igwilo further called on the Benue State government to ensure that the inclusive provisions are translated into concrete actions, including the appointment of qualified persons with disabilities to the Climate Council and the transparent administration of the climate innovation fund as the implementation of the law begins.
