The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has appreciated the government and good people of Lagos, Ekiti, Akwa-ibom and Yobe states on their deliberate gesture for providing relief items to persons with disabilities to cushion the effect of Covid- 19 otherwise call corona virus. This singular act will surely go a long way in ameliorating the living standard of persons with disabilities at this trying times.
In a press statement signed by The Executive Director, CCD, Mr. David Anyaele on Wednesday, he said that CCD as an organization 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.
However, CCD is concerned 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 El -rufai 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.
In the light of the above, CCD called on Kaduna state government and other states that are yet to make such intervention to closely consult with leadership of persons with disabilities at the state to identify their members who are in dire need of this support for onwards provision. CCD also called on the Hon. 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.
CCD also admonished persons with disabilities to while anticipating government intervention in this regards, to strictly adhere to other preventive measures outlined by WHO and NCDC such as washing of hands with water and soap or applying alcohol base sanitizer, including their 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.
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) is the premier organization of, and for persons with disabilities that works to promote disability rights, independent living, inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in development agenda. CCD coordinated CSOs campaign for the passage of the National Disability Bill, now an Act.
