The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive governance through a strengthened partnership with TAF Africa, with a focus on improving participation and access for Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs).
Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop for 31 Disability and Gender Desk Officers in Port Harcourt, the Head of Service, Dr Inyingi Brown, said the state had designated officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies to drive disability-inclusive reforms within the public sector.
Brown, represented by the Director of Administration in the Office of the Head of Service, Mr Chimenum Mpi, said collaboration between the state and TAF Africa was essential to building systems that promote fairness, access, dignity and visibility for citizens with disabilities.
She praised TAF Africa for its sustained partnership, describing the training as a crucial step toward a public service where no one is left behind. She urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to influence institutional practices and deliver tangible improvements within their MDAs.
Brown noted that the Office of the Head of Service would continue to support frameworks that mainstream inclusion and align public service delivery with global standards.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of TAF Africa, Mr Jake Epelle, said the initiative would strengthen accountability, enhance policy implementation and improve service delivery for PWDs in the state. He commended the Rivers Government for establishing and approving the training of the desk officers, describing it as a milestone for disability-inclusive governance.
Epelle explained that the programme formed part of the Disability Inclusive Governance Project in Rivers, funded by the Disability Rights Fund, and was designed to equip officers with practical tools to champion disability inclusion within government structures.
According to him, the prompt response of the State Government reflects a renewed commitment to protecting the rights and participation of PWDs and integrating disability considerations into policy, systems and services. He said Rivers State was charting a transformative path towards a governance model that reflects disability inclusion in practice, and pledged TAF Africa’s continued support in ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Krakrafaa Bestman highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusivity in governance, stressing the need for PWDs to be meaningfully involved in decision-making, policy development, service delivery and accountability processes. He urged leaders to move from compliance to excellence by translating commitments into measurable outcomes.
The event brought together government officials, development partners and public service stakeholders to explore pathways for shifting from policy declarations to practical implementation in disability inclusion.
