Abuja - Mediaage NG News – The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disability (NCPWD), James David Lalu on Tuesday reassured persons with disabilities of the Nigerian government providing alternative means of carrying out their legitimate means of livelihood.
He revealed this when the Self Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders Association of Nigeria paid him a visit over threats made by the Nigerian Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stop roadside commercial activities in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
Recently, there had been an increase in street trading in Abuja, prompting the Minister declaring a zero tolerance to the activities.
This move by the minister seems to have a damning effect on persons with disabilities, many of whom engage in street selling to cater for themselves and families.
However, the Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, Mr. Lalu promised that the complaints brought by persons with disabilities to the Commission will be presented to the Minister, Barr. Wike, stating that “alternative means will be provided for you to continue your legitimate commercial activities”.
“The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities is willing to partner with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to make sure that persons with disabilities are given proper shops to carry out their businesses in legitimate ways.
“We will continue to stand by you and provide the necessary support in your legitimate businesses. We look forward to the nearest future that the results of our engagement with the FCTA will come out soon and I assure that alternative means will be provided so that you can carry out your businesses legitimately”.
Secretary of the Self Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders Association of Nigeria, Isah Yahaya said the words of the Minister prompted their visit to the Commission to seek the assistance of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, with the belief that there would be a positive response from the Minister.
He said since the demolition of some shops occupied by persons with disabilities at Area One Shopping Centre, they’ve had nothing to do but, stay at home, despite having families to cater for. “The little capital we began business with, is finished. Some of us have left the FCT to other states to start begging. This is what we’ve been trying to eradicate. We try to build life through what we are doing”, Mr. Yahaya said.
Also, in a related development, the Executive Secretary of the Commission gave dissatisfying views on the exclusion of persons with disabilities concerning the distribution of palliative to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal announced by President Bola Tinubu, on assumption of office. “Presently, we are collating data as regards this and to be presented to the Chairman, National Economic Council (NEC), His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, the Vice President of the country”, he said.
H also said the Commission is in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to commence training of persons with disabilities who are into trading, mostly in the FCT to guide the proper registration of their businesses to make sure they can be legitimate business owners.
“I’m using this opportunity to call on the Minister of the FCT to consider and provide more opportunities for shopping alternatives for persons with disabilities across the FCT”, Mr. James concluded.