A call has gone to the leaders of this country across all tiers to prioritize the needs of the people living with disabilities.
The call was contained in the open letter written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all the 36 state governors and FCT Ministers and chairmen of all local governments in the country by the Coordinator of the Centre for disability affairs, Comrade Kehinde Oshilaja and made available to our correspondent on Wednesday.
The letter appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all the state governors including Federal Capital Territory and the Chairmen of the local governments to as a matter of urgency prioritize the needs of PLWDs and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all, adding that government should the take immediate action to address the numerous hardships facing PWLDs in the country.
“We are all citizens of this great nation, and we deserve to have our basic needs met, especially in terms of communication, shelter, healthcare, and employment. Without a strong commitment from the government to ensure the rights and wellbeing of PLWDs, our country cannot hope to achieve its full potential. I urge you to prioritize the needs of PLWDs and to work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all”, Oshilaja said
He spoke further that the current state of the economy has made it difficult for PLWDs to access basic necessities such as healthcare, education and employment opportunities.
“The current state of the economy has made it extremely difficult for PLWDs to access basic necessities such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
PLWDs are among the most vulnerable groups in society, and they face unique challenges that make it difficult for them to participate fully in society.
In addition to economic hardship, the demolition of affordable plank houses has left many PLWDs without adequate shelter and has further compounded their difficulties. The lack of affordable housing options has made it difficult for PLWDs to secure a stable and safe living environment, which is essential for their wellbeing and dignity”, he said
Oshilaja further implore the Honorable Minister for Telecommunication to take swift action to decrease the current telecommunication tariffs to their previous plans.
