By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s readiness to empower the people living with disabilities (PWDs).
He assured that he would give them a sense of belonging in ‘‘Greater Lagos’’ project.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Gbeyega Akosile, the governor gave the assurance, when he and his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, had a special moment with residents with special needs – People living With Disabilities (PWDs), in Lagos on Wednesday.
He pointed out that the demands of the PWDs for special recognition on employment and welfare came at a better time when the state government was about to access the N500 million Disability Fund appropriated in the 2021 Budget passed on Monday by the House of Assembly.
He said that the government would be meeting with each cluster of PWDs on how to maximise the funds for the benefit of their members.
His words: “This Christmas period presents a better time for us to host this special interactive session and felicitate with you. I deliberately asked for the event to be done at the State House, Marina so that I can share good moments with you in the spirit of the season.
“We called for this engagement to hear from you all challenges you face.
“After listening to your representatives, we now have better understanding of which intervention we need to make and where we need to improve our relationship with you. We have taken all the points raised. The N500 million Disability Fund in the 2021 Budget will be accessed next year and we will agree with all clusters on better to utilise the funds.”
The governor said that the government would be working to ensure free quality healthcare services for the physically challenged persons in primary and secondary health institutions in the state, while also giving directive for free Coronavirus (COVID-19) test for PWDs in registered clusters.
Granting the request of the PWDs, Sanwo-Olu approved the creation of the Office of Senior Special Assistant on PWD Affairs, which will be the link between his administration and people living with disabilities.
In January, the governor said an appointment would be made into the office, which will be domiciled at the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
In the spirit of Yuletide, Sanwo-Olu and the First Lady donated 50 wheel chairs, 170 walking sticks, 75 white canes and 69 crutches to the clusters to assist the PWDs in mobility.
About 364 persons living with disabilities benefited from the gesture.
Groups at the event included Association for the Deaf, Association for the Blind, Association for the Dwarf, Albinism Association of Nigeria, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), National Association of Physically Challenged, Intellectual Cluster Groups, comprising Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy. The interactive event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Information and Strategy and Office of Disabilities at the State House in Marina, Lagos.
