By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—MEMBERS of the House of Representatives yesterday, asked the Federal Government to provide rehabilitation points and welfare centres for physically challenged persons and critically ill persons.

To this end, the House resolved that the committees on Healthcare Services, Poverty Alleviation and Women Affairs and Social Development should liaise with relevant ministries to formulate measures to relocate such persons from major cities in the country.

The House in session also urged the Federal Government to make budgetary provisions in the 2016 Appropriation Bill for this category of Nigerians.

This development was based on a motion entitled: ‘Need to Provide Rehabilitation Centres for the critically ill and Physically Challenged Persons’, sponsored by Sergius Ose Ogun, PDP, Esan North East/South East.

Ogun, in his submission had argued that “despite the increasing number of the physically challenged and critically ill Nigerians successive governments have failed, refused to devise a policy framework aimed at addressing the plights of these vulnerable groups who are denied the necessities of life for no fault of theirs.”

He explained that “apart from exposure to life threatening realities such as attacks and other risks arising from lack of shelter, these group  of Nigerians are deprived of equal opportunities to seek suitable employment”.