The Minister of State FCT, Haijah(Dr) Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has inaugurated the Persons with disabilities(PWDs) Committee on COVID-19 in the FCT.
The inauguration took place at the flag-off of the distribution of relief materials to persons with disabilities in the FCT.
Speaking at the event, Aliyu acknowledged that PWDs are the most vulnerable among the vulnerable groups and that the decision to use the leadership of the Disability groups to distribute the palliatives to the PWDs in FCT is to ensure that every PWDs in the FCT gets the palliatives.
According to her, PWDs know more about themselves and are in the better position to identify their people just as she added that FCTA belief in inclusion was what informed their reason to involve PWDs in the COVID-19 intervention.
Speaking further, she charged the committee to ensure that they discharge their duties with honesty.
She urged them to follow the FCTA guidelines of reaching out to the beneficiaries.
She said that every person with disability is qualified to get the palliatives and the committee should ensure that every qualified person with disability get the palliative.
Acknowledging that the number of persons with disabilities submitted to them are less the member of PWDs in FCT, she said that they increased the number of the relief materials provided and they are ready to improve if need be.
She said that about 3000 relief materials are provided for PWDs and the committee is expected to give a report on how they distributed the materials.
Mr. Jake Epelle while thanking the Minister for her gesture read out the names of members of the Committee.
They include Alhaji Abdulmumuni Ujah (Chairman), Lois Auta (Vice Chairman), Abubakar Sharhu, Obinna Ekujereonye, Jake Epelle, Ephraim Omoregie and Beatrice Awala Mube.
While inaugurating the Committee, the Minister charged them to discharge their duties well and come back with good report.
Besides, she cautioned the Committee against diverting any of the materials.
She advised the committee to expand their members to nine, being the standard number for committees in FCT for COVID-19, adding that duties will be duly assigned to each member of the committee.
The chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Ujah thanked the minister for including the persons with disabilities specially in the palliatives, assuring that the committee will not betray the trust reposed in them.
Speaking at event, Lois Auta thanked the Minister for including the persons with disabilities and also assured her that the Palliatives will be distributed without any rancor and no one will be diverted.
There was a presentation of the relief materials to the committee members and other leaders of Disability community present at the event.
The minister took time to display the content of the packaged relief materials packaged in two parts with one containing condiments and the other containing 3kg beans and 5kg of rice.
The condiments pack include one litre sachet of vegetable oil, sachet of salt, sugar, semo, tomatoes, 3kg of beans and 3kg of garri.
Notable leaders of the Disability community present at the event include Saraki, Chief of Karmajiji Disability Colony, Dr. Chike Okogwu, Lawrence Idemudia, Paul Ihekwoaba, Ina Ejindu Obasi, Misbau Lawal Didi, Agbo Christian ED, The Qualitative Magazine, Donald Unaka and many others.
The Committee, INN gathered is expected to come up with some modalities for the distribution of the relief materials and commence the distribution.