By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS Nigerians anxiously await the release of 42, 000 metric tonnes of grains from the strategic grain reserves across the country as promised by the Federal Government, TAF Africa, Tuesday, counseled President Bola Tinubu to include Persons With Disability, PWDs, in committees for the release of grains and be carried along in the interventions.

Speaking during a press conference held in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO and Founder, TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, read an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with subject ‘An Urgent Appeal To Address the Crippling Impact of Economic Crisis on Vulnerable Nigerians, Particularly Persons With Disabilities’ and signed by himself, pointed out that PWDs form one of the section of most vulnerable Nigerians who are to be greatly considered by the government to ease the hardship they are passing through.

According to him, the current economic hardship disproportionately affects PWDs who already face significant barriers due to pre-existing societal and infrastructural challenges.

He also lamented daunting challenges the economy had impacted PWDs across the country including the rising cost of essential medications, assistive devices, food items, and specialized care that have thrown PWDs into a precarious situation, therefore jeopardizing their well-being and independence.

The letter reads in part: “We understand that addressing the economic challenges requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach. Therefore, we urge your administration to adopt a more strategic and compassionate stance toward alleviating the pain of the most vulnerable in our society.

“In this regard, we propose the inclusion of Persons With Disabilities in any existing committee or the establishment of a committee that includes representatives from the disability community tasked with investigating and addressing the specific challenges faced by Nigerians in the wake of the economic downturn.

“To this end, we recommend the following inclusive interventions that your government can undertake to support all Nigerians, particularly those with disabilities; Provide palliative care for Persons With Disabilities by establishing food banks and stamps, preferably in the 774 Local Government Areas or six geopolitical zones in the country and encourage private sector participation in this initiative; Allocate additional resources to support inclusive education initiatives, including training teachers, providing assistive technologies, subsidizing school fees, and generally creating accessible learning environments.

“Prioritize the development and maintenance of affordable transport infrastructure accessible to Persons With Disabilities, ensuring their mobility and independence are not compromised due to economic constraints; Design and implement skills development programmes tailored to the specifics and abilities of Persons With Disabilities, to equip them with relevant skills for the job market and encourage employability.

“Provide incentives and support to employers who hire and create inclusive workplaces for Persons With Disabilities, including responsible accommodations and accessible work environment; Implement tax breaks for manufacturers and distributors to make assistive technologies, such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and screen readers, more affordable for Persons With Disabilities; and Regularly assess the effectiveness of implemented interventions and collect data on the impact on the lives of Persons With Disabilities.”