The Federal Government has restated commitment towards improving the welfare and wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities across the states in the country.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Aba Isa, gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Abuja.

He stated, “I want to assure you that the government remains steadfast in her commitment to improving your welfare and wellbeing in line with our renewed hope agenda. I am also pleased to announce that the government is actively working on providing palliatives to cushion the effects of the economic downturn on persons with disabilities.

“We will handle the distribution of these palliatives to deserving beneficiaries, including members of the disability community as they are released.’’

Mr Isa said this was designed to ensure transparency effectiveness in the distribution process.

”I therefore urged heads of different disability communities here to collaborate with us by collating a comprehensive database of their members who will benefit from these palliatives. Your cooperation in this regard will greatly facilitate the smooth implementation of the programme” he said.

He added that President Bola Tinubu was not unmindful of the economic situation in the country.

He said that the president was taking necessary measures to address the situation.

Mr Isa urged Nigerians, especially the disability communities, to support the Federal Government in its bid to tackle the rising inflation and economic downturn in the country.

”I understand the challenges that many of you are facing. I believe that the economic policies put in place by the administration will yield positive results in the long run. Your support are therefore needed at this time,” he said.

He urged members of the disability community to remain calm by keeping their hope alive that the Tinubu Administration would not disappoint them.

”I urge you not to join anybody or group to protest against the government, instead, you should keep hope and trust in the government’s intentions and efforts to alleviate your hardship. I assure you better days are ahead,” he said.

Earlier, President, Nigerian Association of the Blind, Stanley Onyebuchi, appealed to the Federal Government to expand its social intervention programmes to include the blind communities across the country.

He decried a situation, where most of their members were left behind during distribution of social intervention programmes, especially the Federal Government’s conditional cash transfers.

”I want to appeal sir, please inform us when this palliative is going to be shared so that we can provide you with the data of our members,” he said.

Also speaking, Vice President, National Association of Persons with Albinism, Mariya Isiaka, urged the Federal Government to do more in the area of inclusive governance for albinos.

”Some of us that are educated worked hard before we get to this level, so if the Federal Government can employ some of us it will be a source of encouragement to others,” she appealed.

The meeting was attended by various stakeholders from the disability communities in the Federal Capital Territory.

The stakeholders’ consultative meeting was organised by the SSAP to have firsthand information on the challenges facing disability communities and chart a new course towards ensuring immediate government intervention.

(NAN)