James Lalu, the executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), says there is a need to support local content in manufacturing assistive devices for persons with disabilities.

Mr Lalu spoke while receiving a delegation from CBM Global, an NGO championing disability inclusion and transforming the lives of PWDs living in poverty, on Thursday in Abuja.

The delegation was led to the commission by the interim country director of CBM Global Disability Inclusion, Anita Smeets.

He said the production of locally made assistive devices would provide relief to the disability community despite the rising inflation and economic downturn.

The executive secretary told the delegation that PWDs were facing serious hardship due to the current economic situation orchestrated by rising inflation.

Mr Lalu stated, “It will surprise you to know that a Braille Machine which used to sell for N300,000 is now sold for N3,000,000, implying that only a few persons can afford it.

”In order to address some of this challenge, the commission has taken steps to meet with relevant authorities to revive the braille centres across the country.’’

According to him, the equipment is mostly imported from abroad, hence the need to support the local production of such equipment to ease the financial burden on PWDs.

He said the commission had already partnered with some organisations to produce assistive devices, as local production would boost the nation’s GDP.

“The project is one that is capable of serving as a foreign exchange earner to boost the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Earlier, Ms Smeets said the organisation’s mission was to have a one-on-one conversation with the commission, a government agency responsible for disability matters in Nigeria.

Ms Smeets commended the executive secretary for proactively advancing disability inclusion, especially the education, health and general well-being of Persons with Disabilities in the nation.

She pledged to work closely with the commission to protect the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities in line with their mandate.

On his part, the executive director of CBM Global, Davis Bainbridge, expressed satisfaction with the commission’s mandate and promised to contribute to the cause of PWDs in Nigeria.

(NAN)