By Monday OISE
BENIN CITY-As a proactive measure occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal ,the Edo Disability Forum( EDF) has engaged 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.
The Edo Disability Forum engagement outcomes with Government MDAs was made known in a press briefing by Melody Omasah Esq ,the Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID) , convened by Edo Disability Forum (EDF) at the NAPVID Secretariat Benin City.
He pointed out that the removal of the fuel subsidy is not only responsible for the state of affairs, the dollarization of the economy,brought about by the floating of the Naira against the Dollar, has further impoverished Nigerians with PWDs being worst impacted by these policies.
Melody Omasah Esq however added that their recommendations have been welcomed and pledged to take necessary actions to implement them but noted also that all they have at this stage are pledges and nothing tangibles have been done to reduce their sufferings occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal .
He said the Edo Disability Forum visited the Managing Director of Edo State Transport Authority where they advocated for free and accessible public transportation and called for the provision of disability friendly transportation equipped with necessary facilities to enhance mobility, the Managing Director of the agency promised to consider free or discounted transport fare for persons with Disabilities when the free bus ride programme of the government comes to an end by April
He further said members of the EDF as part their advocacy visited the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Development, where it called for inclusive budgetary and funding for disability centred programmes and projects of MDAs and in his response the Permanent Secretary assured the forum that measures will be put in place to ensure that programmes of various MDAs are disability inclusive .
Melody Omasah Esq subsequently said other ministries they took the advocacy includes ,Ministry of Business Trade and Cooperative , Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues and just last Tuesdays they were with the Secretary to Edo State Government where she called for sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of the present harsh economy on persons with disability adding that the EDF specifically asked for the establishment of the Edo State Commission for Persons with Disability Law among other demands and the SSG accepted the recommendations made by the group and promised to accelerate the implementation of the recommendations that can still be carried out before the end of present administration
While expressing gratitude to the government of Edo State for their willingness to engage with them and for their commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities and with continued collaboration and advocacy they can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
He also used the occasion to urge the media not to relent in supporting the efforts of EDF by amplifying the voices of PWDs and help in highlighting the importance of collective action in addressing their needs .