By Okechukwu Okechukwu
Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Tuesday, partnered with the State Disability Rights Commission (ANSDRC) to ensure that public buildings and facilities in the State are accessible by all irrespective of health or social status.
The General Manager, Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, Architect Okey Ezeobi, who disclosed this while receiving the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ANSDRC) in his office, said the agency was committed to making sure that the Disability Rights Law 2018 are fully adhered to in procurement processes.
Ezeobi noted that the agency would henceforth require certificate of no objection from the commission while approving procurement contracts in Anambra State.
According to him, this was in line to governor Chukwuma Soludo's commitment to ensuring that every public facility and building, including toiletries, urinaries and utilities are useful and usable by everyone irrespective of social status, age, race, lifestyle or health status.
"This is part of governor Chukwuma Soludo's desire to make sure that every new building, including facilities like utilities, toiletries and others comply to international standard and accessible to all ndị Anambra and residents. Soludo's government has passion to achieve this. It is happening everywhere even in the areas of other infrastructure like roads.
"You can see that all the new road contracts in streets have side ways. Every public buildings must conform because our governor is building for every human being to use the facilities and buildings. I will ensure that approval for every public buildings and facilities can only be given to those who received certificate of no objection from the disability commission," he added.
Earlier, the Chairman, Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ANSDRC), Barrister Chukwuka Ezewuzie, explained that section 23 of Anambra State Disability Rights law provided that every public buildings must accessible to the disability community.
Ezewuzie, who explained that there are internationally recognised and approved building codes, also explained that when the law is well explained to contractors they would make maximum use of the opportunities to build more prosperous and liveable city.
He also reiterated the need for audible signal to be included in traffic controlling same way as traffic light are being mounted with a view to communicate effectively to the virtual impaired community.