Palliative: FG reiterates commitment to welfare of PWDs
By Ahmed Ubandoma
The Federal Government has again, reiterated absolute commitment to improving the welfare and wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the federation.
Mr Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, 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 wellbeing 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 they are released” he said.
Isa said, this was designed to ensure transparency 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 disabled 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.
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 lie ahead,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Stansley Onyebuchi, President, 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 distribution of social intervention programmes, especially 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, 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 work hard because we get to this level, so if the federal government can employ some of us it will be a source of encouragement to others,” she appealed.
The meeting was attended by various stakeholders from the disability communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders Consultative meeting was organised by the SSAP to have first hand information on the challenges facing disability communities.
As well as to chat a new course towards ensuring immediate government intervention(NAN)
Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Sadiya Hamza
Published By
-
Editor/Assistant Chief Correspondent,
FCT Correspondent,
NAN Abuja.
Has also recently published
PoliticsNovember 8, 2024Senate moves to repeal Act establishing NBTE
Culture & TourismNovember 8, 2024Arts, culture veritable tools for inclusive economic growth – Minister
HealthNovember 7, 2024Tinubu committed to assisting vulnerable communities in Nigeria – Lottery boss
ForeignNovember 6, 2024Elections crucial for democracy globally, says U.S. Ambassador
