PWDs demand transparent inclusion of members in all FG’s Social Intervention Programmes

All Progressives Congress, APC Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, have written a letter to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, to ensure a transparent inclusion of Persons Living with Disabilities in all Social Intervention Programmes.

The letter signed by Tolu Bankole National Leader, APC, PWDs stated that feedback from members of the disabled community across the country, revealed the low involvement of PWDs in Social Intervention Programmes nationwide.

Bankole however appealed to the Minister to match the presidential directives that at least 15 percent of Social Intervention Programme of the Federal Government should be allotted to PWDs with action.

The statement reads in part: “I write to demand for the transparent inclusion of Persons With Disabilities in the widely publicized Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP 2.0) under your supervision which is meant to give priority to the most vulnerable in the society, like widows, youth, persons with disabilities and the internally displaced persons (IDPs), amongst others.

“I am aware of efforts to mainstream PWDs in the Social Intervention Programme of the Federal Government but feedback from our leaders across the country revealed an unsatisfactory inclusion of PWDs in Nigeria.

“The love and directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR that at least 15% must specifically be allocated to PWDs must be respected through deliberate policy actions to allot to PWDs their proportionate dues of government Social Intervention Programme (SIP) due to their sheer population, peculiarities and vulnerabilities.”

Hon Bankole further asked for a detailed state by state breakdown of the beneficiaries to show transparency in the process.

“I would be grateful if you use your good office to draft a PWDs Social Intervention Programme outline, detailing the who, where, what and how members of our community will benefit from the TraderMoni; MarketMoni and FarmerMoni across the 36 states and FCT as soon as possible after the receipt of this letter” he added.