Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has launched an appeal to Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, seeking a 10 per cent allocation of the state’s subsidy palliatives to the disabilities community in the state.
Soludo recently unveiled measures his government would adopt in the disbursement of the fuel subsidy palliatives to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal on the residents of the state.
In a letter to the governor which was obtained by Ikengaonline on Saturday, JONAPWD Anambra State Chairman, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, said the demand for the percentage was in reaction to the untold suffering of his group who he said are going through severe difficulties in the state.
According to Okeke, persons with disabilities often face additional challenges in daily life and have been disproportionately affected by the current hardship in the country brought about by the subsidy removal.
He said there is an urgent need to ensure that the PWDs are not left behind in terms of accessing essential services and support.
Okeke said: “While we appreciate the government’s commitment and intentions to distribute palliatives at the community/ ward levels, we would like to request a specific percentage dedicated to persons with disabilities to ensure their fair and equitable access to palliatives.
“We humbly propose that a minimum of 10% of government palliatives be specifically allocated to persons with disabilities within each ward/community. This dedicated percentage would enable them to meet their basic needs, including food, healthcare, and other essential assistance during this challenging period.
“Dear Governor, by having this targeted intervention, it is important to make one of us a member of any committee that will be set up by the government to handle the distribution of palliatives. This can significantly mitigate the adverse impacts faced by persons with disabilities and uphold their rights to healthy living.
“Moreover, this initiative will demonstrate our State’s commitment to inclusivity, compassion, and the principle of leaving no one behind.
“We kindly request you to consider this proposal seriously and initiate immediate action to facilitate the allocation of a specific percentage of government palliatives to persons with disabilities in the state. We would also appreciate it if you would issue directives to our community leaders as regards percentage reservation for persons with disabilities in any palliative disbursement or that the disability community should be regarded as an additional special ward in the state making it 327 wards.”
Comrade Ugochukwu expressed his gratitude to the governor for his continuous efforts in addressing some of the challenges facing the state, including his proposals to look into the needs of the most vulnerable members of the society.
