Edo State Association of the Deaf has distributed relief package to cushion the hardship confronting its members just as it expressed sadness that the COVID-19 palliative meant for people with disabilities have been politicalised.
Chairman of the association, Eromosele Kingsley in a chat with INN said that the relief items shared over the weekend is part of the first batch of Edo State Government relief package as a way to cushion the effect of hardship caused by Covid-19 on the most vulnerable PWDs among them.
The items ranging from rice, beans, garri, noodles, tin tomatoes, salts, detergent sachets, bathing soaps, Millets were presented to the association by the Wife of the Governor, Betsy Obaseki with about 58 Deaf people benefitting from the palliative.
While thanking the First Lady of Edo State for the relief goods, Eromosele appealed for more support to reach more vulnerable deaf members in the State.
When INN asked how his people felt after receiving the packages from the First Lady of the state, Eromosele expressed displeasure that COVID-19 palliatives which should be distributed to those in need has been politicalised.
He said, “With the situation at hand, my people were thrilled. When we talk about poorest of the poor, person living with disabilities constitutes above 75%, sadly COVID-19 palliatives has been politicalised. Many of us now live from hand to mouth. Those on daily income can no longer engage in it. Daily, those that cannot visit my house call requesting for one form of assistance or the other, with the relief materials we have received from both in cash and goods, the few that benefits from it were overjoyed.”
“With the 1800 bags of rice distributed nationwide by President, Muhammad Buhari, the second batch might be any time from now”
When INN asked what he will like Government to do to avert the situation, he said, “Governmemt should liase directly with disabled cluster heads to ensure the goods reach the beneficiaries.
“It is sad that despite assenting to Nigerian Disabilities Act, we are still relegated to the backyard. Many States even Federal Government is a culprits, we will have to beg, write numerous letters before we get what rightfully belongs to us. At this difficult times, palliatives are being politicalised. We hardly have a representative in COVID-19 committee. It is not suppose to be so.”
“You can’t ask a hungry man to wash hands, keep social distance and stay at home on empty stomach, it doesn’t work like that. It is not right.”
Lamenting that information was also not assesible, Eromosele said efforts were being made to correct this anomaly.
He said himself, Mr Dennis, Mr Stephen Adediji and State ASLIN Chairperson, Mrs Osaghakoe Charity had to pay a visit to Director of Centre For Disease Control in Edo state, PS, Ministry of Health and some officers in Hospital Management Board that ensured Interpreters was available during Edo state Governor briefing.
Eromosele also advised government to look into the possibility of sending some money into Nigerians bank accounts as a way to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 when he said “It will not cost the govt much to credit Nigerian account with some amount of money to encourage people to comply with Govt directives. We can’t tame a hungry man, we can’t”
“Aside from the cash transfer to individual by Edo State Govt, the foodstuffs doesn’t reach the needy ones in interior local government areas. This can only be possible when we are carried along”
“This is also a clarion call for government at all levels to put our hospital in place and halt medical tourism abroad. With the right approach, Nigerian Health workers can compete with those in advanced countries.”