The National Association of Persons
Living with Physical Disabilities, Lagos State chapter, has urged the
Lagos State governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to put a specific
programme in place to tackle the high poverty rate among persons living
with disabilities in the state.
The group noted that the United Nations
had estimated that people living with disabilities accounted for 80 per
cent of the people affected by chronic poverty in developing countries.
It said by tackling poverty among the
physically-challenged people after coming on board, the Sanwo-Olu
administration would have solved more than 50 per cent of the poverty
problem in the state.
The NAPWPD said this on Tuesday in a
statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dare Dairo; General Secretary,
Toyin Salami; and Publicity Secretary, Ojo Oluwole.
It urged the governor-elect not to
address the problem by giving handouts to the people living with
disabilities or promoting charity, but to empower them through training
and skills acquisition.
The NAPWPD said it had realised that
developing enterprise among the persons living with disabilities was the
viable way of tackling poverty among them.
It said, “Last year, in conjunction with
the Disabilities Foundation and Professor Awosika, we provided
entrepreneurship training for some of our members in the transport
business. Based on that training and business evaluation, they were
recommended to a microfinance bank. Seven of our members got a Keke Marwa each, for which they have almost completed the repayment. Nobody should be unproductive on account of disability.”
The group urged Sanwo-Olu to provide a
concrete mechanism of inclusion for people living with disabilities to
shield them from local government officials and others, who, they
alleged, often frustrated them.
“Most local government authorities in
Lagos State are not even aware of the disability law, or the existence
of an agency like the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs.
“Starting from LASODA to local
government administration, the incoming government in Lagos State should
see to it that the structure for inclusion is properly enshrined in
critical areas like education, health, sports, poverty alleviation, and
political participation,” the NAPWPD said.
The group said judging from his campaign
promises, it had confidence that the Sanwo-Olu administration “would
make Lagos State more conducive to people living with disabilities to
thrive with dignity and have a sense of belonging.”
“We appreciate Governor Akinwumi Ambode
for his bold initiatives in tackling poverty and unemployment among
persons living with disabilities in Lagos State. We are no less
grateful to Mr Babatunde Fashola and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu before him.
Their vision, compassion and good work sustain the spirit of inclusion
in Lagos State that is the envy of other states in the country,” the
group said.
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