March 6, 2024

The Federal Government has urged Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) not to join anybody or group to protest against the government, while reiterating absolute commitment to improving the welfare and wellbeing of their members across the Federation.

Mr Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on Special Needs And Equal Opportunities gave the assurance duringa stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Abuja.

“I want to assure you that government remains steadfast in her 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 urge heads of different disability community 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 on 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 are 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 government’s intentions and efforts to alleviate your hardship.

“I assure you better days lays ahead,” he said.

Earlier, Mr.  Stansley Onyebuchi, President, Nigerian Association of the Blind (NAB), appealed to 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 werw 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 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.

The meeting was attended by various stakeholders from the disability communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The stakeholders Consultative meeting was organised by the SSAP to have a first hand information on the challenges facing disability communities.

As well as to chat a new course towards ensuring immediate government intervention(NAN)