The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA) has included Abia State in the second phase of the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme.
The RoLAC programme, formerly implemented by the British Council in Nigeria, is an intergovernmental organisation with a mandate to support sustainable democracy worldwide, including enhancing the delivery of justice and security services, promoting anti-corruption efforts and improving public safety in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), a non-governmental organisation that advocates for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in public facilities and activities as they suit their disabilities, while commending IIDEA for the gesture.
CCD’s Acting Director, Godwin Unumeri, noted that CCD and RoLAC had collaborated on various projects to promote the rights of people with disabilities in Nigeria.
Some of the projects, according to Unumeri, include advocacy for inclusive legislation and policies, capacity building for persons with disabilities, access to justice and security services for persons with disabilities, including promoting accessible infrastructure and transportation.
The CCD Acting Director said the partnership aims at ensuring that persons with disabilities are included in Nigeria’s justice and security sectors and that their rights are respected and protected.
“We therefore welcome the news of the presence of the RoLAC Two programme in Abia State, which is the second state in Nigeria with a CCD office. We are committed to supporting the RoLAC Two programme in achieving its mandate in Abia State, just as we did in Lagos and Edo States, as well as the FCT, Abuja,” Unumeri said.