NCPWD partners FCTA on trading spaces for PWDs

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has entered into a partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on trading spaces for people with disabilities (PWDs).

James Lalu, executive secretary of NCPWD, said this when he received the leadership of Self-reliance for Physically Challenged Traders Association of Nigeria (SPCTAN) led by Munnir Shehu, its chairman, in Abuja.

The delegation was at the office of NCPWD to express concerns over the disruption of businesses of PWDs by the joint task force.

They submitted a letter of appeal to Lalu to be delivered to Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister.

The secretary assured of his willingness to assist in ensuring decent means of livelihood for PWDs and commended members of the association for obeying the laws of the city.

“I thank you for standing on what we always say that disability is not inability,” Lalu said.

“Because you go out and do legitimate business to earn a living, you never find excuses for your own disability.

“I want to assure you that the complaint you brought here about the disruption of your businesses will be presented to the minister of FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

“We will make sure that alternative means is provided for you to continue your legitimate business.”

Shehu appealed to the FCTA to allocate shops to PWDs so that they can conduct their businesses in a decent way.

He said the appeal had become necessary because PWDs need to be taken off the streets to avoid further problems with the FCT joint task force.

“We have been put out of business for the past three to four weeks now. We don’t go to our business places,” Shehu said.

“We knew that this was very serious when FCTA environmental task force arrested our member. They took him to SARS and we went to bail him.

“It really touched us because we are all human beings. We don’t engage in street begging.

“We are doing our legitimate business and some of you who go around Berger junction, Bannex plaza and other places will see us doing our legitimate business.”