The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities(JONAPWD) Anambra state chapter has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to capture them on the proposed distribution of government palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
The group proposed a minimum of 10% of government palliatives to be allocated to its members within each ward/community.
In a statement by its chairman, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, the group said the percentage would enable them to meet their basic needs, including food, healthcare, and other essential assistance during this challenging period.
It also called on the Governor to make one of the PWDs member of any committee to be set up by government to handle the palliative distributions.
According to Okeke, the step would significantly mitigate the adverse impacts faced by persons with disabilities and uphold their right to a healthy living.
He said the initiative would also demonstrate his members’ commitment to inclusivity, compassion, and the principle of leaving no one behind.
The statement reads, “As a concerned organization advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, we would like to draw your attention to an important matter about the proposed distribution of government palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“It has come to our attention that persons with disabilities, who often face additional challenges in daily life, have been disproportionately affected by the current hardship.
“Consequently, there is an urgent need to ensure that they are not left behind in terms of accessing essential services and support.
“While we appreciate the government’s commitment and intentions to distributing 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 palliative.
“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 a 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.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we remain hopeful that our government will take the necessary steps to address the concerns of persons with disabilities during these challenging times.”
