- By Femi Alabi
The Federal Government has again, reiterated its absolute commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the states of the Federation.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on Special Needs And Equal Opportunities, Abba Isa gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Abuja.
”I want to assure you that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to improve your welfare and well-being in line with our renewed hope agenda.
”I am also pleased to announce that the government is actively working on providing palliatives to cushion the effects of the economic downturn on Persons with Disabilities.
” We will handle the distribution of these palliatives to deserving beneficiaries, including members of the disability community as as they are released,” he said.
Isa said this was designed to ensure transparency and effectiveness in the distribution process.
”I, therefore, urged heads of different disability communities here to collaborate with us by collating a comprehensive database of their members who will benefit from these palliatives.
”Your cooperation in this regard will greatly facilitate the smooth implementation of the programme,” he said.
The SSAP said President Bola Tinubu was not unmindful of the economic situation in the country.
He said that the president was taking all the necessary measures to address the situation.
Isa, therefore urged Nigerians especially the disability communities to see reasons with the federal government in its bid to tackle the rising inflation and economic downturn in the country.
”I understand the challenges that many of you are facing. I believe that the economic policies put in place by the administration will yield positive results in the long run.
”Your support is therefore needed at this time,” he said.
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He urged members of the disability community to remain calm by keeping their hope alive that the Tinubu Administration will not disappoint them.
”I urge you not to join anybody or group to protest against the government, instead, you should keep hope and trust in the government’s intentions and efforts to alleviate your hardship.
” I assure you better days lay ahead,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Stansley Onyebuchi, President, of the Nigerian Association of the Blind(NAB), appealed to the federal government to expand its social intervention programmes to include the Blind communities across the country.
He decried a situation, where most of their members were left behind during the distribution of social intervention programmes, especially the federal government’s conditional cash transfers.
”I want to appeal Sir, please inform us when this Palliative is going to be shared so that we can provide you with the data of our members,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Mariya Isiaka, Vice President, the National Association of Persons with Albinism urged the government to do more in the area of inclusive governance for albinos.
”Some of us that are educated we work hard because we get to this level, so if the federal government can employ some of us it will be as a source of encouragement to others,” she appealed.