The Gombe State Chapter of the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have lamented exclusion from palliative materials being distributed by the government to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus lockdown.
Secretary of the State Joint Association of PWDs, Mr Adamu Ishaq, in a video forwarded to INN, said that despite the continuous distribution of pallatives going on in the State, it’s members were being excluded.
He disclosed in the video that PWDs are the worst hit by the novel Covid-19, coupled with the guidelines of adhering to social distancing and stay at home order, which according to him was tough on them.
In a related development, Secretary of Gombe State Association of the Deaf, Yusuf Mohammad Lawan, said that members under his cluster already wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Committee requesting for palliative support to their members but unfortunately were yet to receive any positive response yet.
In his words, “We forwarded a letter to the Emir because he is the Chairman of Palliative Committee to demand for our share of palliatives.
“I followed up the letter three times, but each time the Emir’s secretary said “No response from the Emir.
“So up till now, our demand has not been approved by the Chairman of the Committee. However we will continue to follow up and see what happens at the end. There is light at the end of the tunnel”
INN recall that the Publicity Secretary of Gombe State Association of the Deaf and Disabled Right Activist and advocate, Comr. Yusuf Kumo, had written an article requesting the government and the Committee to release the palliative materials for PWDs directly to their Joint Association because by releasing it directly to their JONAPWD office, the items was sure to get to all those concerned.
Kumo also stressed the need to establish a Disability Right Commission or an Agency for PWDs where all issues related to Persons with Disabilities will be fully addressed.
According to him, “I did my mandatory National Youth Service at Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities and I must admit I envy the good PWDs of Bauchi for having an Agency for PWDs where their challenges are fully addressed.”
He added that the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 rightly states that in a situation of emergency, PWDs should be made first priority.
Besides, Kumo disclosed that Part 5, Article 25 of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 clearly states that: “In all situations of risk, violence, emergencies and the occurrences of natural disasters, the government shall take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of persons with disabilities by taking cognizance of their vulnerability”.