Mr David Anyaele, Special Assistant to Abia Governor on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), has called on the public to support the government to reduce disability in the state.
The special assistant made the call during the two-day capacity building workshop for CSOs and public institutions in Abia on Friday in Umuahia.
Anyaele said that the residents should render the support through reduction of poverty and protection of social infrastructure.
He said that over 400,000 population in the state was estimated to be experiencing one form of disability or the other.
The governor’s aide urged the people not to loot or abuse social infrastructure but ensure that they were protected.
According to him, the more the abuse of state resources by individuals that are responsible, the more they create opportunity for disability to occur.
He said: “The project is very important to me because part of responsibilities as a state is to ensure that PWDs have access to economic benefits, participate in economic activities on equal basis with others.
“Dr Alex Otti-led government is taking steps to promote equal opportunities in particular, inclusion of PWDs in socio-economic activities.
“It starts from enhancing and building the capacities and capabilities of PWDs to respond to economic benefits of the state.”
Anyaele said he was at the event as a partner in the disability project entitled “Promoting Economic Opportunities and Community Resilience for PWDs.”
In a remark, the Chief Imam of Abia, Sheik Ali Ukaiwo said that religious leaders owed the PWDs an apology for failing to carry them along in their activities.
“It is our duty to make people understand the need to help these people, instead of stigmatising them,” he said.
A participant, Miss Chika Egbuna lauded CCD for organising the training, saying that she learnt a lot about the disability community.
“It’s a great initiative not just for CSOs but also for community leaders and I hope it will get to the grassroots,” she said.
Egbuna is the Programme Manager of Initiative for Grassroots Intervention and Development Education, Aba.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by CCD, in collaboration with the Project Enable Africa and supported by the U.S Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund. (NAN)
