Update: Edo Govt Pledges To Support Persons With Disabilities, Says Omosah

…Urges media to help amplify PWDs voice, highlighting the importance of collective action in addressing their need

By Simeon OSAJIE

Convener of the Edo State Persons With Disability (PWDs), Barr. Melody Omosah on Tuesday, 19th March, 2024 said Edo State government has responded to the call for inclusive and sustainable programmes and policies to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal on persons with disabilities.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City, Edo State capital on the outcome during the PWDs visit to the state government and other relevant bodies, Barr. Omosah said the removal of fuel subsidy is not only responsible for this state of affairs, the dollarization of our economy, brought about by the floating of the Naira against the Dollar, has further impoverished Nigerians with PWDs being worst impacted by these policies. Measures taken thus far by the Federal Government to arrest the meltdown of the economy, has not yet yielded the desired result.

Omosah noted: “While staying optimistic that our economy will someday bounce back and that succor will come to Nigerians sooner than later, the Edo Disability Forum (EDF) has been engaging the highest echelon of Edo State Government, to recommend immediate and sustainable measures that should be put in place to ameliorate the plights of PWDs and guarantee their survival in the aftermath of the subsidy removal.

“I am pleased to report that the State Government and the MDAs we have interacted with, have been very hospitable. Our engagements were met with open minds and hearts, and the representatives of these agencies have expressed their commitment to addressing the needs of PWDs in our state. They have welcomed our recommendations and have pledged to take the necessary actions to implement them. I should be quick to add that all we really have at this stage are pledges and commitments.”

Barr. Omosah expressed PWDs gratitude to Edo State government for their willingness to engage with forum and for their commitment to improving the lives of Persons with Disabilities.

He respectfully urged the media to continue supporting the forum efforts by amplifying the voices of PWDs and highlighting the importance of collective action in addressing their need.

He said the Forum meetings with Managing  Director of Edo State Transport Authority, Ministry of Budget, Economic planning and Development, Ministry of Business Trade and  Cooperatives, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues all yielded positive results.

“While the forum also called for the establishment of the Edo State Persons with Disability Commission as a sustainable plan to deal with matters affecting Persons with Disabilities, the Hon. Commissioner of Social Development and Gender Issues, expressed confidence that the Disability Commission will be established before the end of the present administration in November 2024, assuring that the ministry will continue to involve persons with disabilities in her programmes,” he said.