Lalu Submits 2021 Appropriation, Seeks Senate Intervention On Waiver For Employment Of PWDs

In fulfilment of the appropriation Act of the National Assembly, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Mr James David Lalu has made an explicit submission of the expenditure as well as capital releases of funds in the year 2021.

Appearing before the Senate recently in Abuja, the ES gave a breakdown of the budget and the performance level of each allocation as provided.

In a passionate appeal, Lalu pointed to the segment on Salaries and Wages of the Commission which was yet to receive the approval of the Head of Service in order to secure the waiver for employment of persons with Disabilities. He pointed that about 750 million naira is still set aside and untapped for the payment of wages of the staff; adding that the Commission would have achieved more results if the waiver had been given considering the caliber of staff that were posted from various MDAs to the commission.

“I want to respectfully appeal to this hallowed chambers to kindly intervene  in the process” he appealed

Lalu further decried the lack of manpower  to fully attain better inclusion in  the coverage of persons with disabilities spread across the 36 States of the Federation.

“We have been able to carry out Data collection in the 774 local governments Areas of Nigeria to ascertain the number of persons with disabilities on Nigeria through contractual engagement which eventually turned out more expensive”. He disclosed.

According to him, planning for the overall welfare and basic needs of  persons with disabilities requires accurate data and that was the reason why the Commission made considerable budget provisions for the exercise.

The Commission’s helmsman further hinted that the Federal Mortgage Bank is also partnering with the commission.

“Out of 400 units of housing, I am confident to announce that 200 PWDs have applied”.

Lalu further spoke on the 2022 Budget of about 1.6 billion Naira with great expectations to making life better for PWDs. He said it carries more visible projects that Will improve Education, Health, Housing and transportation.

Responding to the ES’ presentation, the chairman, Senate committee on disabilities. Mr.  Yusuf l Yusuf applauded the ES and equally advised that the budget  should be reviewed upward to accommodate more needs of Persons with disabilities in the coming year.