Foundation Makes Case For Physically Challenged

The Chief Executive Officer, Disabled Persons Empowerment Foundation (DAPEF) Mr Parkins Uzor, wants the three tiers of government in Nigeria, to involve people with disability in governance.

Uzor, who made the appeal on Sunday in Abakaliki in an interview with the newsmen said that such a measure would enable them to contribute their quota to the development of the country.

He said: “Any democratic dividend, from the three tiers of government, without full and total emancipation of people living with disability, is a monumental failure.

“Disabled persons have all it takes to attain economic prosperity. We have the political energy and momentum. Our capability to economic growth and political integration is undisputable.

“There is no provision in the Constitution which says that people living with disability are not entitled to hold public offices or be elected into elective positions.”

Uzor advocated the creation of “Disabled Person’s Welfare Fund and the Ministry of Physically Challenged Nigerians,” where monies recovered from corrupt Nigerians could be channeled for effective use.

“This is important since after 12 years of Nigeria’s democracy, some sections in the Constitution that affect people living with disability have never been implemented.

“Section 16, sub-section 2 D of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for unemployment benefit or social security, has never been implemented,” he added.

The DAPEF boss condemned the nonchalant attitude of politicians, as well as religious and traditional leaders, to the plight of people with disability in the society.

“They keep on making campaign and creating awareness that people living with disability should not be stigmatised.

“Our problem is not stigmatisation but empowerment. If we are being empowered nobody will stigmatise us,” he explained.

According to him, when people are not represented in any way, in government, it would be difficult for them to influence or sponsor any bill that will affect their lives.

He reminded the politcians that “one who is able today, could be disabled tomorrow.”