TQM report,

Rotarian Joseph Oluwasesan Bulugbe (ESQ), the outgoing General Secretary of the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) Ogun State Chapter have declared his intention to vie for the position of the Chairman of the Chapter.

With over two decades of experience in people and organizational management, he is convinced that he will take the Association to greater heights. Having served the Association as the General Secretary for four (4) years now, he have learnt and understood the workings of the Association as well as its structures and mode of operation.

He understands where they are presently and believes there is always room for growth. It is his dream that “OgunNAB” under his leadership to become a chapter that will stand out among other chapters in the country
If elected as the Chairman of this Association, He has articulated his plans to achieve the following goals to make “OgunNAB”, a chapter that all other chapters in Nigeria would emulate:

1. Education of our youth: We are all aware that the future of every nation, body or organization is dependent on how the young generation is taken care of. If we are unable to create a conducive environment for our young people to thrive, our Chapter, which we have labored and invested so much effort, time and finance on, will remain a shadow of its former self. We have too many youths with rare potentials for such to happen and we must do all we can to prevent such occurrence. One sure way to do this is by ensuring that our youth get a quality education. B.B Kings said “the beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it from you.” I agree with this assertion; when we educate our youths we give them a tool that stays with them for life. Our administration will liaise with the Ogun State government to ensure that our visually impaired students in secondary schools across the State get free quality Education like their counterparts in other states like Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, etc.
   
2. We will equally work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the education received by blind youths at all levels reflect today’s move to learning that is grounded in science and technology. This way, our youths will not only go to school but are better prepared for the workplace and business environment of the future.
3. Resuscitation of our Women Wing: It is no news that the Women Wing of “OgunNAB” is in a comatose state. This has gone on long enough. We have an all-inclusive structure that recognizes every member of this Association. The men are important, so are the women; the youth and our children, we all make up the engine room of this body. In light of this knowledge, we will work hand in hand with the Women Leader of the Association to bring back the lost glory of this integral body of our dear Chapter.
   Our administration will reach out to government parastatals and private bodies alike to join hands with us and develop empowerment programs that give our women practical skills that are useful to them, their families and the society in general. We will develop a policy that will protect our women from all forms of gender-based discrimination including but not limited to domestic violence. We will ensure that our women are empowered, accorded a respectful position in the affairs of this chapter and guaranteed a voice in issues that pertain to them.
4. Provision for the elderly: Old age is a blessing, we all desire to grow old. Therefore, we must start creating structures that cater for the elderly, because we all stand to benefit from every good project this Association invests in today. The elderly are an important unit of our body, we cannot in good faith neglect them. As an association, we will see to it that issues bothering on the welfare of these old men and women of our Association are prioritized. Extra consideration will be given to their welfare.
5. Expansion to other local governments: Presently, we have chapters in 12 out of the 20 local governments in Ogun State. Our administration would ensure that chapters are established in other local governments in the State. In doing this, we will carry out strategic campaigns to create awareness in all areas we are yet to have setups in. These campaigns will involve activities such as public speaking, announcements via the radio, door to door movements all through the local governments we are yet to have residence in. We will share the good news of our association and the benefits therein.
6. Development of a Members’ Database: Our administration will set up a comprehensive database containing the information of all of our members. This database will contain relevant information such as names, gender, phone number, address, occupation, age, religion, etc. By so doing, we will create a structure that will serve us better with information. We desire to have an association where every member is known and catered for. This database will be a fountain of information we can use to keep track of our members, be aware of their well-being, and also follow up on them whenever there is a need.
7. Enactment of the disability law in Ogun: As we have Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018 enacted by the Federal Government and similar law in states such as Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Cross River, Delta and Anambra which provides for the Education, health care, social, economic and civil rights of persons with disabilities, our administration plans on working with the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities(JONAPWD) and other relevant organizations to ensure that Ogun State Government does the needful by passing the Disability Bill into law so that we the citizens with disabilities of our dear State will also enjoy all the rights therein. We know these things are possible and can be done. It is our right and we should not be deprived of what is fundamentally ours. We can no longer continue to suffer deprivation.
8. Calling Back of Aggrieved Members: we know quite well that as humans, from time to time we will experience conflicts of interests. Conflict is part of human society but the management of these conflicts says a lot about the individuals and the structure within which they exist. Some of our members have left the Association for various reasons; some probably felt marginalized, their voices were not heard or the modus operandi just had no place for them. One of the major things our administration will focus on is membership drive. Every one of us has a place here and we deserve to be here; no individual is more important than the other. For our aggrieved members, we will make sure we reach out to them, mend broken ties and bring them back to our Association. Also, for the prevention of such issues in the future, we will establish a conflict resolution team. We will also ensure that we have transparency and flexibility in our dealings as an association, members will be encouraged to air their opinions. We urge every one of us to look out for one and other.
9. Employment: We can’t have our members go through the strenuous process of getting themselves educated from secondary school, through the higher institutions and still have to sit back because there are no jobs. This is an error which our administration seeks to correct; as an association, we will rectify this issue by lobbying Ogun State Civil Service Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Private organizations and other relevant bodies to ensure that our graduates are duly employed and they also enjoy the full privileges that come with their jobs. We cannot continue to watch our competent youth waste away. For our members who have no formal Education, we will encourage such members to acquire vocational skills that will enable them fit into the society. Such members will be given priority in our empowerment programs.
10. Regular training for members: Our administration will ensure that our members get frequent professional trainings that will help them fit into society. Trainings will be done on ICT, office management, skill acquisition etc.
    It is expedient we do not forget that as a body we have values, this Association from its inception in 1968 has moved in unity, dedication and integrity. These values need to be taught regularly. Even as we proceed, we must remind ourselves as a body what we stand for and what is important.
11. A Physical Office: Our Association currently does not have a physical office and this is another important project our administration will facilitate. A physical office will provide a safe space for our members, where they can go to sort out issues. A physical space will also help keep our assets safe. This we plan to execute within our first year in office.
    I know “OgunNAB” is an extraordinary place, a body where a lot of things are possible. We must never forget that in making this place better we are creating safer conditions and systems for ourselves. By our collective efforts we can make “OgunNAB” much better. As chairman, I am ready to give my resources, time and finance into ensuring that our Association becomes excellent. I will continue to advocate for progress and peace.
    I cannot do all these alone. Neither can I do any of them without your support, endorsement and partnership. I therefore seek your vote as your Chairman and Chief Servant for the next four years to pilot the affairs of our dear Chapter. With your support, endorsement and vote, I know we can.
    “I remain my humble self, Rotarian Joseph Oluwasesan Bulugbe, the right man for this job. God bless us, God bless NAB, God bless Ogun State and God bless Nigeria. Thank you.
    OgunNAB!!!!!! One Love”.

by TQM report,

The Liliane Foundation (LF), an international charity organization supporting children and youngsters with disabilities, has appointed The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) as its new Strategic Partner Organization (SPO) in Nigeria. This appointment ensures their shared goal of empowering children and young persons with disabilities to participate in society is actualized. TLMN is a leading Non-Governmental Development Organization working to create a future where persons affected by leprosy and other disabilities are independent and empowered to take full responsibility for their lives.

Reacting to this development, Mr James David Lalu, Executive Secretary – National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, stated, “I Congratulate TLMN for this groundbreaking achievement by securing this grant. I am confident that TLMN will use this opportunity efficiently and effectively to benefit Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria. TLMN is a household name in the Disability Community in Nigeria, and it has been touching lives for decades. We appreciate LF for this great support to Nigeria through TLMN. We at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities are proud to be associated with TLMN and reassured our maximum support and partnership in this project.”

In the same vein, Mrs Nkechi Onukwe, Director of Special Needs – Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (FMHASD), congratulated TLMN for this appointment. She stated, “the Special Needs Department (formerly Rehabilitation Department) of the FMHASD has been a long-term partner of TLMN. We appreciate the good work TLMN is doing, particularly in disability. Congratulations on the new appointment.”

The National Director of TLMN, Dr Sunday Udo, expressed his delight with this strategic relationship with LF and reiterated TLMN’s commitment to transforming the lives of children and young persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

TQM report,

Rights holders and duty-bearers in DRAC’s Making It Work project funded by VOICE Nigeria, came together to share knowledge and best practices gained and used so far in a one-day accountability forum in Abuja.

The Executive Director, DRAC, Dr. Irene Ojiugo Patrick-Ogbogu in her opening remarks after recognizing women in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, stated that the meeting was organized to provide opportunity for stakeholders to share their learning so far on “Making it Work” Project. DRAC has been interfacing with the various duty-bearers since the inception of the project via advocacy, capacity building, research, etc and is bringing those stakeholders together to share learnings ,significant changes/results and best practices so far as well as to review strategies that worked towards achieving the project goal and objectives. She also informed participants that the project is on its last legs therefore the meeting is also a way to ascertain what the project has been able to achieve since its inception in 2019.

The Program Officer of DRAC, Amaka Agwu while presenting the activities so far on Making it Work Project said that within the project, DRAC has carried out advocacy, building capacity of Women and Girls with Disabilities, OPDs, the Media, Healthcare providers and Young Innovators who have used technology to also develop service delivery solution towards improving access to SRH for women and girls with disabilities. She also said that DRAC have been able to put in place SRH network to facilitate and sustain the advocacy for the implementation of the National policy on SRHR of PWDs with emphasis on women and girls.

The participants were grouped in accordance with the stakeholder they belong, Service Providers, Innovators, Women and Girls with Disabilities, OPDs and The Media. The Participants were able to share their knowledge in attitude, practice and skills towards SRH of Women with disabilities and what they intended to do to ensure a better healthcare service delivery to women and girls with disabilities.

There have been some significant changes among the stakeholders going by the knowledge and results they shared, some hospitals have started providing signage to assist the deaf, the positive attitude towards PWDs have improved in some hospital in the FCT and a good number of the professionals have knowledge of SRHR of women and girls with disabilities, the OPDs and Women with Disabilities have carried out some advocacy on the SRHR, engaging the critical stakeholders and educating other women with disabilities on SRHR, The Media knowledge of SRHR have improved, including Disability laws and policies and the again more focus on disability issues among the use of right terminology in reporting disability matters, focusing more on empowering message about PWDs not pitiful message that the media were known for.

Some pictures of the event:

TQM report,

Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC ) continues to introduce innovations that bring SRHR closer to women and girls with disabilities.

The latest in these innovations is the animated prototype video meant to educate the public especially healthcare service providers on universal design specifications for accessible healthcare services. This was presented at a one-day meeting with health sector stakeholders, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), the media and other critical stakeholders.

This activity is part of DRAC’s Making it Work project supported by Voice Nigeria which aimed at creating awareness on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Girls With Disabilities by bringing the National Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Persons With Disabilities(PWDs) with emphasis on Women and Girls to the limelight by initiating actions that would be adopted and implemented by stakeholders across board in order to ensure increased access to healthcare services by women and girls with disabilities.

Participants were taken through the important specifications and considerations to note in applying universal design to make healthcare services accessible contained in a manual developed by DRAC, this was accompanied by an animated prototype video on the Concept of Universal Design to get the stakeholders to understand what is expected in an average healthcare facility to ensure accessibility to all regardless of disability.

Some of the participants from the health sector who reacted after the presentation of the prototype thanked DRAC for the initiative and expressed better understanding of what is expected of them and they promised to continue to engage their management to ensure that there would be an improvement from what is already on the ground.

OPDs present expressed gratitude to DRAC for their commitment to using strategic ways to advocate for disability inclusion and ensure that women and girls with disabilities have unfettered access to healthcare.

The ED DRAC, Dr. Irene in her closing remark appreciated all the stakeholders. She said that it has been a healthy working relationship with the rights bearers, duty bearers and other relevant actors who have embraced the project and their commitments towards ensuring better service delivery to women with disabilities is commendable and urged them never to relent and use all the information and tools at their disposal to

She thanked the media for their support so far but she acknowledged that more work has to be done towards the media because they are very critical towards achieving the implementation of the policy. She expressed worry that the media practitioners after trainings with DRAC on the right terminology, some of them will still go back to the unacceptable words claiming that it is what sells. She informed about DRAC’s plans to further train the media but they would be taken away from their localities for more concentration to enable DRAC galvanize the media properly.

DRAC appreciated The Young Innovators for the prototype they put together towards solving SRH service delivery challenges to women and girls with disabilities. She advised that SRH requires collective effort; all stakeholders should make it a duty to advocate for SRHR in any given opportunity. It should not be left for DRAC and OPDs.

TQM learnt that the close-out session of the project would be organized soon where DRAC would once again bring together stakeholders and other dignitaries to share the successes of the project.

VIEW THE PROTOTYPE HERE:

By Chris Agbo,

The Chief Judge, FCT, Justice Ishaq Usman Bello on Thursday in Abuja promised to create a Disability desk in the FCT High Court.

He made the declaration while making a speech at The Albino Foundation (TAF)’s One- Day Training of Key Officers of the Judiciary, Lawyers and law enforcement agencies on Disability Inclusion and Access to justice system for persons with disabilities In the electoral and political process.

It was a response to the demand made by The CEO of The Albino Foundation, Mr. Jake Epelle during his speech, he read out several challenges of persons with disabilities while trying to access judicial services. The court rooms are not accessible, the wheelchair and crutches users find it extremely difficult to access the court and the deaf persons are having a hard time in the court because the court have failed to recognize that they need sign language interpreters. Meanwhile there are a lot of persons with disabilities who are lawyers and it is difficult for them to fairly represent the clients in the court because the court have totally excluded them structurally and the deaf lawyers are excluded communication wise.

In a chat with TQM, Mr. Jake Epelle said that the essence of the workshop is to sensitize the judicial officers and the law enforcement agencies on the need for Disability Inclusion in their various organizations and also to get the Chief Judge FCT to appoint a Disability desk officer which graciously was achieved and he has also mandate TAF to come and train the officer that would be appointed. He informed TQM that TAF will commence the training next week.

To throw more light on need for a Disability desk officer, Mr. Jake Epelle told TQM a story of deaf lawyer who always paid a sign language interpreter each he is going to represent a client in the court. So if the clients is not willing to bear that extra cost, it will affect the rate at which his services as a lawyer is sorted.

Watch Part 1:

He emphasized the need for a Disability desk officers in all courts and other law enforcement agencies. He gave example with Correctional Centres not having a plan for Disability Inclusion as it was disclosed by one of participants representing Nigerian Correctional Service. So, what is happening to PWDs in Correctional Centres and those who may find themselves there.

He lauded the Chief Judge FCT for accepting to create a Disability desk Office.

He explained that the Disability Desk Officers may be a person with disability or not, what matters is that someone should be saddled with the responsibility of attending to persons with disabilities wherever they are at the hight court to access judicial services. The officer will ensure that adequate provisions are made to guarantee reasonable accommodation for the persons with disabilities irrespective of the type of disability.

Watch Part 2

He revealed to TQM that TAF have concluded plans to train all the officers of law enforcement agencies on Disability Inclusion, The DSS, FRSC, Nigeria Police etc in their quest to promote Disability Inclusion across board.

Mr. Theophilus Odaudu, Program Officer, Disability Rights Fund (DRF) speaking to TQM said that the court can support persons with disabilities in so many ways, making their physical environment accessible, providing sign language interpreters for both the litigants and lawyers with disabilities, all court procedures and processes are made accessible. “That’s why I like the idea of having a Disability desk officer in the court so that persons with disabilities can have who they can come on or go whenever they want to access judicial services. The Officer would be there to address the barriers persons with disabilities are facing in accessing court processes” he added.

Watch

He informed that Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 has criminalized discrimination against Persons With Disabilities so PWDs should be able to approach the court to seek redress and it is only possible if there is no barriers for them accessing the court and getting justice.

TQM report,

Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) led by the Executive Director, Dr. Irene Ojiugo Patrick-Ogbogu embarked on Advocacy visit to the Managing Director, FAAN Capt. Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu.

The MD, FAAN in his response made firm commitments to collaborate with DRAC to ensure that the highlighted issues are strategically addressed and immediately gave instructions for the incorporation of DRAC’s recommendations for accessible airports into the agency’s plans.

The Executive Director, DRAC, presented to the MD copies of the gazetted and simplified versions of the Disability Act as well as a picture frame of Part IV (14)of the Act outlining Government’s responsibility to persons with disabilities during air travel, which he also instructed should be immediately produced in larger versions and put up in all 5 international airports to raise awareness of the public on disability rights in aviation settings.

This visit is part of DRAC’s Advocacy for the implementation of the relevant aspects of the Disability Act regarding access to transportation with support from the Ford Foundation.

TQM report,

Federal government has on Friday Flag-off Special Cash Grant for Rural Women in Damaturu, Yobe State capital.

Launching the programme, the Minister of Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said that “we gather to provide support to citizens of our beloved country. I am delighted to have you all converge on this venue for purpose of flagging off the Federal Government’s cash grant for rural women, which is a significant social protection programme of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, aimed at uplifting the most vulnerable groups out of poverty”.

According to her, since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration in 2015, Government has paid more attention to protecting and promoting the plight of the poor and vulnerable in the country.

This she said informed the decision to initiate the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) as a strategy for enhancing social inclusion and protection of the most vulnerable segments of our society.

“The NSIP, made up of CCT, N-Power, GEEP, National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, YESSO and CSDP is one the largest social protection programmes in Africa. Since its introduction in 2016, it has impacted positively on the lives of the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria. I have personally witnessed the life-changing experiences of people below the poverty line and those that are vulnerable to shocks that have now made a positive turn around after benefiting from the programmes”.

Farouq further disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria in partnership with the World Bank designed and developed a safety net programme for Nigeria under the platform of the National Social Safety Net Project (NASSP).

The Conditional Cash Transfer Programme commenced in September 2016 with the aim of responding to deficiencies in capacity and lack of investment in human capital of poor and vulnerable households.

The Programme is designed to deliver timely and accessible cash transfers to beneficiary households with the following objectives, Improve household consumption, Increase in utilization of health and nutrition services, Improve school enrolment and attendance.

Others are, Improve environmental sanitation and management, Encourage household financial and asset acquisition, Engage beneficiaries to attain sustainable livelihood.

“The CCT programme provides targeted monthly based cash transfers of N5,000 to poor and vulnerable households, with the sole aim of graduating them out of poverty”.

“Your Excellency, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Yobe State has received a total sum of N980,070,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Eighty Million, Seventy thousand naira only) from the Federal Government Conditional cash transfer programme from inception till date impacting the lives of 24,814 Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs). Your Excellency, 6 LGA’s are currently benefiting from the Federal Government CCT programme in Yobe State. They are Fika, Geidam, Yunusari, Bade, Jakusko, Nangere LGA’s”.

“I must note at this point, that the social register is being expanded to cater for more poor and vulnerable households in Yobe State”.

The Minister also revealed that the Special Cash Grant for Rural Women programme being flagged off today was introduced in 2020 by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as part of President Mohammadu Buhari’s social inclusion and poverty reduction agenda, including the realization of the national aspiration of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. It is designed to provide a one-off grant to some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural Nigeria. A grant of N20,000.00 will be disbursed to over 150,000 poor rural women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The grant is expected to increase access to financial capital required for economic activities.

“A total number of 3,400 beneficiaries are to benefit from the cash grant of 20,000 each to uplift the socio-economic status of the rural women in Yobe State”.

“It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this programme will make good use of the opportunity to increase their income, enhance their food security, and contribute towards improving their living standard. I am also optimistic that with the support and cooperation of Your Excellency and other stakeholders present here, we can lift 100 million out of poverty by 2030 as envisioned by President Muhammadu Buhari”.

Responding, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni represented by his Deputy Idi Barde Gubana thanked the federal government for the support to the people of Yobe State.

By Abayoi Adeshida, Abuja

The Chairman, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Hon. Sulaiman Kangiwa has appealed to the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA assist the new Commission to design specialized training programmes with Nigerians living with disabilities so they can contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the country and cut the supply of human capital to the problems of banditry, kidnapping and general insecurity in the country.

Kangiwa made this public in a brief speech he delivered when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Director-General NITDA, who granted his delegation an audience at the NITDA Office, Garki, Abuja.

According to him, ” The Board has decided to visit NITDA as the first place of call after the composition formalities because of the importance and strategic significance of training to what we are set to achieve in the Commission.

“We are here to rub minds with you on how we can work with you so that our constituency can benefit from the globally acclaimed benefits of NITDA to Nigerians from all works of life and we believe that working with your agency would further boost the quality of the outcome of our dreams and aspirations to make life meaningful to Nigerians with disabilities in all parts of the country.

“We wish to seize this opportunity to express our joy over the impact of your agency on the successes of the youths in the country across many sectors of our economy and we believe that if we also key into the numerous programmes here, many of our members would become gainfully employed and they would not be available as tools to cause insecurity in the country.

“We have taken note of the numerous training that your agency has coordinated, most important to us among them being the specialised training you recently concluded in Enugu for People with Disabilities.

“While we have come to show appreciation, we want to present a request before you to consider that the training is taken to the six geopolitical zones of the country so that many of the people in our community can be beneficiaries and lead a meaningful life after they benefit from your training.

“Similarly, we wish to request for collaboration and partnership between your agency and our commission from the foundational level of our attempt to make life easy for the millions of people with disabilities in the country.

“We look up to your agency and wish to leverage on its existing structures and programmers, especially those that can positively impact the lives of our community and transform them to employers of labour in all spheres of the economy.

” We would also be very delighted if your agency can consider the vigorous commitment to design some new programs that can make members of our community leverage on new technological discoveries lead better lives.

” We want to seize the opportunity of this visit to appeal to your agency to consider the people living with disabilities when selecting candidates for your scholarship schemes that gives opportunities to two candidates from each state across the country.

” We believe that if you consider and approve all these for us, you would have assisted us in a great deal to bring the dream of President Muhammadu Buhari into fruition when he established the Commission to make the people living with disabilities live a normal life, arm them with technological tools that can transform their lives as well as their community and fight insecurity across the country,” Kangiwa told his host.

In his response, the Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa assured the delegation that the agency under his leadership is revved up to pay more attention to expending scarce resources on only candidates that can return to the country to create jobs and build the wealth that can transform the nation’s economy.

In his words, “We have come to realize that when we identify those who are qualified and send them on scholarship abroad for Masters and PhD studies, they either refuse to return to the country or when they come back, they would return to us and be asking us to help them find employment.

“Currently, there is a deliberate redirection of the criteria for selecting our candidates to be directed towards those who can go out there and return to create new jobs, employ many of our youths and make a positive impact on the economy of the country in the long run.

“While we have taken note of your requests, we wish to implore you to encourage your duly qualified members across the country to take advantage or our existing programmes that can be beneficial to them.

“We are also open to collaborations with your Commission in all of the areas possible, like the specialized initiative you mentioned that we did in Enugu. we in the agency consider the people you have come to represent as people with special needs.

“In our intervention, we pay special attention to the unserved and underserved people in our country and we consider the people in your constituency as the unserved or underserved people in the society which qualifies them for the special intervention that we did for them, different from the general one we did for others.

“One of the specialized initiatives for them was the one you mentioned that we did in Enugu.; we have also done the same thing in Abuja, Gombe and another location. Currently, we have limited resources to pursue special projects for people with special needs, but we assure you of giving your members the opportunity to benefit when they participate in general programmes we have in the agency.