The Senate has called on the Nigerian Government to ensure adequate funding of the newly established National Commission for Persons with Disabilities ( NCPD).
It said adequate funding of the Commission, would help in the practical activation of inherent abilities in the disabled.
The Senate made the call through its Committee on Sports, Youth and Social Development during screening of nominees for the position of Chairman and members of the board of the Commission in Abuja.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Obinna Ogba, said; ”It is one thing for government to set up the commission through bill passed by the National Assembly but another thing is for the commission to be adequately be funded in achieving the purpose for which it was established.
“We thank the executive for setting up the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and nominating persons to run it but putting such intervention mechanism in place without required funding will defeat the purpose for which it was established.”
“On our own part here in the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly, having through legislation facilitated the establishment of the commission, we shall at any given time, make required appropriation for effective and efficient functioning of the commission.
“It is a welcome development that appointments of nominees into the commission are being screened four days after the International Day for Persons Leaving with Disabilities (PLD), marked on December 3rd every year,” Ogba said .
He however admonished the Screened nominees to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government, by carrying along all persons with disability in the scheme of things.
”Mr Chairman – Designate and the Six members, please after the confirmation by the Senate, remember to use the commission to take care of the interests of the disabled, particularly those who were with you in the trenches during the protests era,” he stated.
Those screened and designated for confirmation as nominated by President Buhari, are ( Dr) Hussaini Suleiman Kangiwa as Chairman from North West, Oparaku Onyejelam Jaja as member from South East and Philomena Isioma Konwea from South -South as member.
Others are Omopariola Busuyi Oluwasola as member from South West, Amina Rahma Audu as member from North West, Esther Andrew Awu as member from North Central and Abba Audu Ibrahim as member from North East.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
