Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Edo State government, has said that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) will be included in the federal government’s grant to the state.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives, Mr. Patrick Iria Uanseru, disclosed this when he received the Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People With Visible Disabilities (NAPVID) and convener, Edo Disability Forum (EDF) and members in office in Benin City.
Uanseru said that there is no gainsaying that the PWDs need the assistance of government to be able to achieve most of their aims adding that the current federal government’s grant will be extended to them.
“I appreciate you, if there is any opportunity, I will ensure that you people are considered. Presently, as you were talking to me, I just remembered that I tried to meet with the local government chairmen today, there is a federal government grant that is coming, I will recommend that some percentage of should be given to all the Persons Living With Disabilities in all local government areas.
“As a matter of policy, a percentage should be given to you. I will interface with them and I believe that they will do the needful”, Uanseru said.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People With Visible Disabilities (NAPVID) and convener, Edo Disability Forum (EDF), Melody Omosah, said that the PWDs are worse hit by the federal government fuel subsidy removal.
He said that the PWDs, in order to overcome the present economic challenges, would have loved to engage in businesses of their choice just as he said that some were already in their line of business but were being frustrated by lack of funds.
He therefore appealed to the state government for an interest-free-loan to enable those who are interested in business, to set up their businesses with ease.
Omosah said that the PWDs are tired of handout from anyone but would want to be self-dependent adding that such can only be achieved if the ministry can make available an interest free loan for them.
“We are here to present our reports to you and to ask as ministry, space should be opened for persons with disabilities to thrive in business.
“I know that this ministry, it is a regulatory ministry that facilitates ease of doing business.
“We have a number of persons with disabilities who are into business and the present economic is actually affecting them.
“Access to fund, their business is actually challenging, we request that this ministry should help to facilitate access to loan as a single digit, possibly, free interest loan for these ones to do business.
“I emphasize as the leader of the persons with disabilities, we want to be given the opportunity to contribute to the baking of the national cakes.
“We believed that when we are taught how to fish, we will be in a position to contribute rather than being given handouts”, Omosah said.
He said they have decided to cry out due to the economic hardship that has greeted the country following the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.