Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) have been urged not to join any public protest over high cost of living in the country.
They are also advised to shun any attempt to drag them into any face-off with the government.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mohammed Abba Isa made the plea on Tuesday, March 5, during a consultative meeting with persons with disabilities stakeholders’ in Abuja.
He noted that the call became necessary following concerted efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide enduring solutions to challenges being faced by the disabled community in the country.
Assuring leaders of various clusters of the community, Isa said: “I want to assure you that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware of your struggles and understands the difficulties many of you are enduring.
“However, I must tell you that the government of the day remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the standard of living for all citizens, particularly for Persons With Disabilities, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I urge you to remain calm and patient during these trying times. While the road may seem tough now, I assure you that brighter days are ahead.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is on course and working. I have a strong belief that the policies and initiatives put in place by this government are aimed at yielding positive results in the long run. Your cooperation and support are invaluable as we navigate through these challenges together.
“I implore you not to resort to protests or join anybody or group to demonstrate against the government. Instead, I urge you to trust in the government’s intentions and efforts to alleviate your hardship.”
Unveiling government plans to provide palliatives to cushion the effects of the economic downturn, the presidential aide said his office will be handling the distribution of the palliatives to deserving beneficiaries, including members of the disability community as they are released.
To ensure an efficient and effective distribution process, Isa urged heads of the different disability clusters to collaborate with his office by collating a comprehensive database of their members who will benefit from these palliatives.
Earlier the Executive Director of the Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation & Empowerment (CARE), Dr. Chile Okogwu, challenged the government to meet the 5 percent statutory quota for PWDs by the National Disability Act by engaging members of the community to engender inclusiveness of all Nigerians irrespective of their status in the society.
He said: “We need financial inclusion. Everybody wants to be wealthy. As the government and its agencies are giving out loans, they should remember us. We need transport. The present transport arrangement in the country did not favour members of this community.
“In keeping with the National Disability Act, the 5% persons of employment and appointment must go to PWDs. Every minister, governors and LG Chairmen as well as MDA must engage at least 5 per cent in employment and appointments of PWDs.
“Despite our disability, we know we are capable and we can do it, but please do not disappoint us, because there is so much strength in us.”
THE NATION
