Giants of the climate action community in Plateau State gathered at the serene Mountain View Guest House along JD Gomwalk Way Jos on Thursday 7th May to officially Inaugurate 30 Persons With Disability (PWD) as the Plateau State Climate Action Network of Persons with Disabilities.
An event organised by Equal Basis Development Initiative (EBDI) with funding from Disability Rights Fund, was product of a 2 day intensive capacity building of PWDs on climate change response, advocacy and preparedness, where 50 PWD were taught and kitted to fill the gap in the global movement to mitigate the dangers of climate change.
30 PWDs were administered oath by the Speaker of the Plateau State Climate Change Assembly, Mr. Desmond Chollom, who charged them to understand that exclusion is an injustice, but what worsens it is the ignorance of the PWDs themselves because of the consequences of non-inclusion in disaster planning. PWDs already have a role to play in the review of the Plateau State Climate Change Policy & Action Plan 2026.
They are to never limit themselves but go as far as they can see. Earlier in his keynote address, Mr. Albert Pam of WOCCI Nigeria who is also the Pioneer Chairman of the Plateau Environment Climate Governance Support & Advocacy Network, PE-CGSAN called on the Ambassadors to work as a team and make concrete actions bearing in mind that there is already a vacuum in the climate change response which can only be filled by them on behalf of the PWD Community.
The realities of climate change has already caught up with us hence the heat waves, desertification and disappearance of some nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. PWDs are known to bring solutions that are innovative and equitable, hence more is expected from this newly Inaugurated network. Mrs. Patricia Pam, the Executive Director of EBDI called on PWDs not to keep quiet in the face of injustice against PWDs and are to be upstanding as Change Agents.
Responding, the newly Inaugurated network of PWD testified that CSOs have done more for them than the government or even their own families. In his goodwill message, Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mining Development, Mr. Gana Pam, represented by Sylvia Zi stated that climate change does not discriminate, yet its impacts are felt most deeply by those already marginalized, including persons with disabilities, commended EBDI for creating this platform and for championing a vision where accessibility, dignity, and equity guides our response to the climate crisis.
Critical stakeholders from the climate change response network present included representative of the Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change & Mining Development, Speaker of the Plateau State Climate Change Assembly, Centre for Gospel Health & Development, CeGHAD, Women & Children in Support of Community Development Initiative, WOCCI Nigeria and, Country Women Association of Nigeria, COWAN
The objective of the Plateau State Climate Action Network for Persons with Disabilities is to be voice of the voiceles and champions for inclusive development, promote inclusion on climate action, advocate for the rights and participation of PWDs while working collaboratively with stakeholders to strengthen community resilience where EBDI aims at driving inclusive climate policy and resilience so as to advance global disability commitments in Plateau State and beyond.
The Network has been structured to have a General Assembly, 4 Technical Working Groups and an Executive Committee that will run for a 2 year tenure. Indeed the PWD Community has come to a time that where they boldy say: Nothing about us, without us!
Luca Atukpa-Elayo
Reporting for Lucmarie Media
