Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has been told to consider as a priority the creation of a welfare scheme to care for persons over the age of 60 with disabilities.
The call was made during a workshop organised by the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ASDRC) in Awka during weekend.
The workshop which targeted improving PWD’s knowledge of law and access to justice was held with support from Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC). It was funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA).
The participants reported that a vast population of aging individuals with disabilities face unique challenges and require specific support and services to ensure their well-being and quality of life.
They said welfare schemes tailored to meet the needs of senior citizens with disabilities would address critical areas such as healthcare, mobility support, assistive technology, caregiver services, and housing accommodations.
They also said the scheme should provide financial assistance to cover medical expenses, purchase essential equipment, and hire needed support staff.
In a remark, Chairman of Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, Barr Chuks Ezewuzie, said it would be a monumental achievement if the present administration can establish a scheme that would take care of senior citizens with disabilities, noting that the provision was even provided in the state’s disability rights law.
According to Ezewuzie, “Section 23 of the disability rights law states that persons with disability of 60 years and above be provided with Social security as it is done in the developed world. This is a mandatory provision of the law, not a suggestion.
“Our senior citizens are still looking for who to take care of them. It will be a monumental achievement for this administration if it introduces a welfare scheme and a social security income as now being made available and implemented in the state.
“It is a mandatory provision that does not say ‘May’ but says ‘Shall’. It is in order to draw the attention of the government that we are faced with a lot of issues that are asking for priority attention, and that it is a provision of the law,” he said.
He also hinted that his commission has plans mapped out for the inclusion of senior citizens welfare in its 2025 budget hoping it gets approval from the governor.
