The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has decried the continuous neglect of Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) by some State Governments while giving out palliatives to cushion the hardship caused by the lockdown declared to contain the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Group, in a statement, however commended the government of Lagos, Ekiti, Akwa-Ibom and Yobe States for ensuring that PWDs get the relief items to reduce their suffering.
The statement signed by the Executive Director, David Anyaele said “this singular act will surely go a long way in ameliorating the living standard of persons with disabilities at this trying times.”
“CCD is particularly happy that these palliatives came at the time persons with disabilities need it most considering their social economic status in their various communities.”
Anyaele, however, expressed concern that despite the great effort made by the aforementioned States in reducing the hardship for persons with disabilities in their states, Kaduna state and other states are yet to wake up from the realities on ground by incorporating persons with disabilities into their social protection scheme thereby subjecting them to all hardship of hunger and starvation.
“CCD is worried that this is coming barely two months after Governor Nasiru Elrufa’i publicly committed during public hearing on the proposed Kaduna state social protection policy to ensure persons with disabilities are properly mainstream into social protection programs in the state.”
Consequently, the group called on Kaduna state government and other States that are yet to make such intervention to consult with the leadership of persons with disabilities in their respective state to identify their members who are in dire need of this support for onwards provision.
The group also called on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to immediately review the template and list of beneficiaries of Conditional cash transfer, N-power, Trader money and other programs under national social protection program to include persons with disabilities to avoid contravening section (26) of Discrimination against persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.
The Group also charged PWD organisations and its members to ensure that while they anticipate government intervention, they should strictly adhere to preventive measures outlined by WHO and NCDC including regular washing of hands with water and soap or applying alcohol base sanitizer.
“This directive include your aids and appliances (guide cane, wheel chairs etc) observe social distancing, avoids crowded environment and if you feel any symptoms like constant sneezing, coughing and mild fever please report to the authority,” Anyaele said.
2 comments
Thanks for all what you have done
Thanks for what you have done
And We arpresheyt ccd