Subsidy removal: PWDs ask for inclusion in palliatives distribution

Persons living with disabilities (PWDs) under the aegis of Accelerate Disability Inclusion in Emergencies (ADIE) have asked the federal government to ensure they benefit from the palliatives meant to cushion the effects of the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Grace Jerry, co-chairperson of ADIE, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said a specific social protection intervention for PWDs should be initiated by the federal and state governments.

Jerry said the intervention should include establishing reliable databases of PWDs, and food banks for an equitable distribution of economic palliatives to members and targeted financial assistance.

“There is no clarity on how marginalised groups like PWDs will be accommodated in the economic palliatives recently announced by the federal and state governments,” she said.

“There is no clarity on how marginalised groups like PWDs will be accommodated in the economic palliatives recently announced by the federal and state governments.

“The representatives of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) should be made members of the joint federal government and labour negotiating committee on fuel subsidy removal.

“They should also be incorporated into the planning, implementation, and monitoring of economic initiatives, especially those set up to manage savings from the fuel subsidy removal policy.

“A good example of these initiatives is the economic palliatives recently announced by President Bola Tinubu and state governors.”

The group also demanded that an affordable public transportation system that is accessible to PWDs should be introduced.

“This accessible transportation should include buses with adjustable ramps and handrails for wheelchair users, signage and electronic display for directions with audio announcements for the benefit of the deaf and the blind,” Jerry said.

Also speaking, Jake Epelle, a member of the ADIE forum, emphasised the importance of inclusiveness in all facets of society, adding that it is necessary for the government to conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public about the challenges faced by PWDs.

“These programmes should promote empathy, respect and understanding to curb discrimination and foster an inclusive society,” he said.

“The federal government should ensure the full implementation of the discrimination against persons with disabilities (prohibition) act.

“Particularly the five percent employment quota for PWDs and incentivise private and public sector employers to implement workforce inclusion initiatives for PWDs like work-from-home options, flexible schedules and accessible workplaces.”