Recession: ‘Persons With Disability, Worst Hit’

The Coordinator of
Persons with Disabilities in Kalabari Zone, Collins Akpana, has said that physically challenged persons are the worst hit by the economic recession in the country, even as he called for more attention for their welfare.
Akpana who is visually impaired in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt recently said a lot of persons with disabilities faced the challenge of unemployment.
“The economic recession is telling more on us than those that are physically okay.
“We also need good shelter and families and other basic amenities in order to make life meaningful”, he said.
He explained that in terms of employment, there was a marked margin between those that are physically sound and those that are challenged.
“The numerical strength for employment between those with abilities and those with disability cannot be overstressed”, he said.
Akpana acknowledged the fact that those in government due to their tight schedule find it difficult to attend to the need of the disabled in society.
Meanwhile, a visually impaired graduate, Lady Akelis, has advocated that tertiary institutions in the state be made to accommodate persons with disabilities.
“We have a federal university here and a state university so the government should look into employing persons with disabilities into such institutions”, he said.
She expressed the view that if engaged, such qualified and competent persons would do well in serving their fatherland and also enhance their economic wellbeing.