The Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), Lagos Chapter has lamented the plight of more than 500,000 Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) amid the lockdown ordered by the Federal Government to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Group said the development has placed PWLDs at risk of health challenges and means of livelihood to survive the period.
The group expressed worry that a large number of persons living with disabilities may miss out from the free food stimulus program introduced by the Lagos State Government if the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu fails to co-opt disabled person clusters and Civil Society Organizations as monitors in the palliative distribution process.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of NAB in Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Mohammed, Chairman, the group said, “we are deeply worried about recent revelation by Governor Sanwo-Olu that some elements have hijacked the free food program initiated by the State, and the severe consequences this sabotage will bring to persons with special needs in the state.”
Commending the efforts by the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) for reaching out to PLWDs and the aged in the state via text messages, the group, however, raised concerns that a lot of persons with disabilities are yet to receive the food package promised them in the SMS one week after the message was sent out.
“As a matter of fact, the majority of PLWDs who received the LASRRA SMS have become frustrated by the failed delivery notices they get each time they tried to respond to the text message,” the statement read.
“Others who have relocated from their earlier addresses captured in the LASRRA register are also left with no option to supply information about their current location, neither do they have the opportunity to call specific mobile lines for that purpose.”
Suggesting a way forward, the group urged the state government to provide each cluster of persons with special needs with the logistics to distribute the stimulus package to their members in collaboration with the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, since each of the clusters (Blind, Deaf, Albinos, Physical, etc) has a register of their bonafide members.
“This response strategy, if considered by His Excellency, will have a far-reaching positive impact on disabled persons in the state in the long run, compared to the initial strategy where the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWDs) in the state was given 100 food package to share among a disabled person community numbering over 500,000,” the statement added.