NAPVID Boss Laments How Dollarization Policy Affected Their Members

NAPVID Boss Laments How Dollarization Policy Affected Their Members

Iduozee Efe Paul. Benin

The Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID) Barr. Melody Omosah, Esq has asserted that, the Dollarization of Nigeria economy has brought about by floating of naira against the dollar has impoverished Nigerians with PWDs being worst impacted by these policies.

Barr. Omosah who is also the convener, Edo Disability Forum (EDF) made the statements in a press briefing on Edo disability forum engagement outcomes with government MDAs, Benin city, Edo state.

He said their engagement with NBA, government officials and political office holders had yielded a meaningful progress. He stressed that they are optimistic that government should march their word with action to bring the needed change.

Omosah said," As you are aware, on the 8th of February 2024, we convened to address the severe impact of fuel subsidy removal on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria, particularly here in Edo State. We highlighted the disproportionate burden this policy change has placed on our community, exacerbating financial strain, social exclusion, and health challenges. 

"Between the 8th of February 2024, and today, the health of the Nation’s economy has declined from a state where it elicited the concern of well meaning Nigerians to a critical point where the government is anxious over it's survival.

 " As we know the removal of fuel subsidy is not only responsible for this state of affairs. The Dollarization of our economy, brought about by the floating of of the naira again the Dollar, has further impoverished Nigerians with PWDs being worst impacted by these policies. Measures taken thus far by the Federal Government to arrest the meitdown of the economy, has not yet yielded the desired result. 

"While staying optimistic that our economy will someday bounce back and that succor will come to Nigerians sooner than later, the Edo Disability Forum (EDF) has been engaging the highest echelon of Edo State Government, to recommend immediate and sustainabie measures that should be put in piace to ameliorate the plights of PWOs and guarantee their survival in the aftermath of the subsidy removal.

 "| am pleased to report that the State Government and the MDAs we have interacted with, have been very hospitable. Ow engagements were met with open minds and hearte, and the representatives of these agencies have expressed their commitment to addressing the needs of PWDs in our state. 

" They have welcomed our recommendations and have pledged to take the necessary actions to implement them | should be quick to add that all we really have at this stage are pledges and commitments," added 

Given a brief insight of the outcomes of their engagements, Omosah said," on the 8th of February 2024, mambers of Edo Disability Forum, visited the Managing Director of Edo State Tranaport Authority, where we advocated for free and accessible public transportation and called for the provision of disability-friendly transportation equipped with necessary facilities to enhance mobility. 

"In her response, the Managing Orrector of the agency, promised to consider free or discounted transport fare for Persons with Disabilities when the free bus ride programme of the government comes to an end by the end of April. She also assured that subsequent procurement of Comrade Buses, will take into account accessibility especially for wheelchair users. 

" Same day, (the 8th of February), members of the EDF, took its advocacy visit to the Ministry of Budget, Economic planning and Development, where it called for inclusive budgetary and funding for disability-centred programmes and projects of MDAs. 

"In his response, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, apologized for government's erroneous assumption that the economic situation of the nation, was affecting everyone equality. The PS assured the forum that measures will be put in place to ensure that programmes of various MDAs are disability inclusive, promising that the ministry wil involve organisatons of Persons with Disabilities in budgetary processes. 

" The Ministry of Business Trade and Cooperatives, was engaged by the Edo Daehiity Forum on the 150) of February 2024, where we called on the ministry to facilitate interest free business grants enterprises of Persons with Disabilities to encourage entrepreneurship among PWDs.

 "The commissioner promised to reserve a quota for PWDes in the activities of the ministry and directed Local Government Councils to include PWDs in the disbursement of grants from the Federal Government. 

" Next to be visited was the Ministry of Health on the 22nd of February 2024, where members of the Edo Disability Forum were received by the Permanent Secretary. In our advocacy brief, the EDF called for a comprehensive healthcare support system to ensure affordability of medical supplements and services and requested for specialized Health insurance Plans tailored to the needs of PWDs.

"Along with easily accessible health centers. In his response, the Permanent Secretary secured that Efforts will be made to improve healthcare access for PWDs, including ensuring thet medical facilities are fully accessible and that healthcare services are tailored to meet the specific needs of our community. 

"He promised to collaborate with the Edo Health ineurance Commission, to enfoll unemployed Persons with Disability into the Equity Health Insurance Scheme. It was the turn of the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, to receive the EDF team en the 23rd of February 2024. 

"During the visit, the EDF highlighted the challenges faced by PWDs in the light of the fuel subsidy removal and specifically recommended that policies and programmes ef government should expressly target Persons with Disabilities. The forum aise called for the eeiablishmert af the Edo State Persons with Disability Commission as a sustainable plan to deal with matters affecting 

Persons with Disabilities.

" In her response, the Hon. Commissioner of Social Development and Gender Issues, expressed confidence that the Disability Commission will be established before the end of the present administration in November 2024, assuring that the ministry will continue to involve persons with disabilities in her programmes. 

" Just last Tuesday, on the 12th of March, the EDF were with the Secretary to Edo State Government where she called for sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of the present harsh economy on persons with disability.

" The EDF specifically asked for the establishment of the Edo State Commission for Persons with Disabilities to oversee the implementation of the Edo State Persons with Disabilities Law, among other demands. 

" The SSG, accepted the recommendations made by the group, and promised to accelerate the implementation of the recommendations that can still be carried out before the end of the present administration. For instance, the SSG promised to make his office, the office of the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Executive Council Chamber, disability friendly before the 12" of November 2024."

Melody Omosah Esq, thanked the Edo state government for engaging with them and for their commitment to improving the lives of persons  with disabilities. He appealed to the media to help spread their plights to governments and the general public.

In his remarks, NUJ chairman Comrade Festus Alenkhe represented by the Assistant Secretary of the Union, Comrade Elvis Edo Omoregie, assured the PWDs that, the media will work with them to ensure all their demands are disseminated to the general public.