*Says, they lost some members when they go out to beg
* Domesticate UN charter on rights of persons with disabilities, CBM tasks FG
People Living with Disabilities (PLWD), in Abaji community, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have said that the federal government abandoned them to their plight throughout the period of the novel coronavirus pandemic lock down period.
Speaking exclusively with the Daily Times during a visit to the community, Bilamumin Adamu, chairman, PLWD in the area lamented that the lockdown exposed them to hardship and hunger by reason of their inability to fend for themselves.
Expressing disappointment and frustration over the development, Adamu, called on the federal government to come to their assistance by providing grants for them to enable them fend for themselves.
‘’We need the government to help us because we have been neglected for too long. Sometimes when we go out there on the street to beg, we lost some of our members while some are usually kidnap for ritual purposes.
‘’If we have our way, we will not be on the street begging because it comes with many disadvantages’’, he said.
Also, 33-year –old Ishaq yusuf who was told by his mother that his problem started after he took ill as a little boy said that after receiving treatment in the hospital, it was discovered that he could not walk again.
He said that life has dealt a hard blow on him since he cannot do most things for himself adding that if empowered, he would set up a little shop where he will be selling recharge cards, provisions and other useful items.
He said, ‘’ Life has not been easy for me in this condition. Sometimes when I go out there to beg, people usually insult me. If I have little money, I will set up a small shop where I will be selling recharge cards and provisions’’, he said.
On whether he received any palliative from government since the outbreak of covid-19, he said, ‘’aside two NGOs that visited our community some months ago, we have not received anything from the government.
“I feed with the little income I have saved over time together with my parents and siblings. Soon, if this ban is not lifted, maybe I will go on debt or credit. In addition, if caution is not taken, hunger, starvation and eventually death will set in. I struggle to get two square meals per day now.
Meanwhile, the Christoffel-Blindenmission (CBM), Health and Development Support Program have called on the federal government to domesticate the United Nations charter on rights of persons with disabilities.
Speaking during a visit to the community to share out palliatives to PLWDs, Esther Bature, Negleted Tropical Disease Program Officer said that it was necessary for governments to work closely with PLWDs.
She disclosed that the CBM and its support bodies were able to get across to over 700 households across Abaji area council during the period of the lockdown.
She said, ‘’the Federal government are trying, but I believe they can do better. The governments should work closely with Disability Persons Organizations, and also domesticate the UN charter on rights of persons with disabilities. In addition, government should be inclusive in all their planning.
‘’ Sharing of food to these people alone is not enough. The government need to build their capacity. They need to also have opportunities for employment.
‘’Citizens living with disability fall under the vulnerable people category should be on the priority list of every government most especially now that we are facing a pandemic’’, Bature added.
On his part, Yahaya Isha, chairman, Nigeria Association of social workers in the FCT and also a staff of Abaji area council social welfare office said that the chairman of the area council has been working tirelessly to ensure that the area is erode of street begging.
According to him, about 85% of PLWDs have been taken off the street in the area.
‘’The local government level at Abaji area council has done their best to see that at the time the palliatives come, they ensure that not all the people living with disability in the area are left behind share before thinking of giving out to other people.
‘’The council has also done some enlightenment campaigns for them on how to stay safe during this covid-19 period.
‘’The chairman of the area council is putting in place measures to ensure that the physically challenged people are not on the street begging. Currently, about 85% of them are not on the street.
‘’Most of them are engaged in petty trade like phone charging, sales of recharge cards and some are into weaven. If you give them more training, whatever business they are doing it will give them more moral.
He called on the federal government to assists in providing training facilities for them as well as giving out grant to enable them start their own businesses.
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