The Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Mr. James David Lalu has said that an individual who lives in a peaceful home has the tendency of being very proactive and productive at workplace. Lalu made this revelation in Abuja on Thursday 3rd of June, 2021 during his working visit to the Federal Mortgage Bank Headquarters Abuja.
While addressing the Managing Director of the Bank, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, the ES stated that he was at the Bank to seek a common good for the community of Persons with Disabilities. He reiterated that the Commission was established and expected to carry the burdens of Persons with Disabilities as well as protect their interests.
While commending the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing the need to make provisions that would cater for the basic needs of Persons with Disabilities and the resolve of Mr. President to pull one hundred million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years, Lalu further pointed to section 27 of the provisions of the establishment Act of the Commission where it was clearly stated that 5% of the Housing benefits is reserved for Persons with Disabilities.
In addition, the ES highlighted the daily challenges encountered by Persons with Disabilities which ranges from housing needs to transportation. While frowning at the similarities on salaries with people without disabilities, he lamented that every legitimate income of the person with disability attracts additional cost to cater for his needs. He seized the opportunity to advocate a review of salary/ emolument for the member employees of government.
Conversely, the ES expressed his optimism that the partnership would yield the expected results and bring succor to the community of Persons with disabilities. He also expressed his profound appreciation to the Managing Director of the Bank, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa for his open door policy.
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In his response the Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa commended the dexterity of the Executive Secretary and promised total support to the community of Persons with Disabilities.
In addition, he outlined various Housing schemes available at the Federal Mortgage Bank and explained the modalities through which the Commission could key in to the schemes.
Dangiwa also stated that there are provisions for loans where the beneficiary can obtain up to N1million payable in maximum of 10 years, building loans from 3 million naira upward payable over a period of 30 years depending on the grade level of the contributor. According to him, there is also a Rent- to- Own scheme which could be given to persons with evidence of repayment
He also encouraged Persons with disabilities in cooperative groups to apply for these loans in order to access the housing facilities by subscribing to the National Housing Fund especially as the FMBN has commenced the building of 5,000 units of houses across the country. He reiterated that FMBN is currently working on 20 States location sites which are open to the public.
In his parting remarks, the ES said he is very satisfied with the parley and has no doubt about the constructiveness of the partnership. He further underpinned that “‘with peace of mind at home, one with disability would exhibit peace of mind at workplace’”