Business
Association Tasks Banks On Special ATMs
The Chairman of the Joint
National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JNAPD), Rivers State chapter, Mr. Uhumabe Edima has called on banks in the country to install Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) specifically for the needs of the disabled.
Edima who bared his mind while speaking to our correspondent in an exclusive interview at the weekend in Ahoada said the request was crucial considering the fact that most disabled persons could not go into the banking halls or make use of the ATMs as presently built.
He said disabled persons were part and parcel of the society who also engage in banking activities.
“We are part of the society and as such we also bank because we have our little resources in the bank”, he said.
Edima explained that with most banks having security doors, persons on wheel chairs and even those using cruches are often not allowed access into the banking halls .
According to him, the easiest way for them to avail themselves of bank services was through the ATMs but still “no way because the machines are built very high”.
He said a person on wheel chair could not aces the ATM just as the one using cruches would find it difficult to stand in the queue.
The JNAPD boss said using other persons to access funds for members was risky as some of them have been defrauded.
“People take undue advantage of our disability to dispossess us of even our cash.
“I know of a case where a disabled person gave his ATM card to somebody to help him withdraw money.
“At the end it was discovered that that person transferred quite a huge amount of money from the disabled person’s account to his own account,” he said.
He further called on the authorities to put in place structures that would cater for the needs of the disabled at every public facility.
In terms of employment for its members, Edima said the union was looking unto the government even as he expressed disappointment on the part of the government.
According to him, during the 13,000 teachers recruitment exercise, he made a case for his members through the Ministry of Education but nothing came out of it.
“If the government cannot give us priority what can we say about the private sector that are profit oriented.
He said while the private sector may see disabled persons as not capable of meeting productivity targets, the governments on their parts have no excuse.
“Government first of all is the first culprit in discriminating against disabled persons in terms of employment, I must say he lamented.
On the celebration of International Day for the disabled that comes up every December 3rd, Edima said the events were rituals on the part of government.
He said such invents were laden with speeches, entertainment and empty promises.
He recalled two instances were representative of government left the venue even before the association presented their addresses.
He challenged employers especially government to give physically challenged persons opportunity and see if they would not represent themselves creditably well.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.