By Precious Oham
A group, Disability Not A Barrier Initiative, DINABI, has clamoured for an inclusive participation of Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, in Ekiti State budgeting process.
The group made the call on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, at a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Review of the Ekiti State 2023 Budget/Mobilising PWDs on Budget Tracking, Monitoring and Reporting.
The Executive Director of DINABI, Ekiti State Chapter, Olajide Funso, said the programme is aimed at mobilising PWDs in the state on budget tracking, monitoring and implementation.
While decrying the inability of PWDs to access public facilities, banks, hospitals in terms of creating ramps, sign language interpreters in public functions among others, he urged the state government to execute the 2023 budget for efficient service delivery.
“We are clamouring for inclusive and participatory budgeting that whenever government is to formulate budget, they should be able to invite PWDs and participate effectively that will lead to political inclusion.
“We are reviewing the Ekiti State 2023 budget as it relates to PWDs. We are trying to mobilise the community of PWDs in Ekiti State to able to track and monitor budget implementation in Ekiti State especially those aspects that has to do with the accessibility of PWDs to public facilities and services in the state.
“We want to build the capacities of PWDs in terms of budget process, tracking and monitoring in the state and at the same time build their capacities to disability laws in Ekiti State, the National Disability Act in Nigeria especially those aspects that have to do with accessibility to public facilities, banks, hospitals and in terms of creating ramps
“When you go to some of these offices and hospitals, you will realise that some of them are grossly inaccessible for persons on wheelchair. When you don’t have these accessibility put in place it becomes a problem.”
In his goodwill message, Chairman of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Ekiti State Chapter, Mr Owolabi Kayode hailed the state government for approving six sign interpreters in state hospitals while calling for efficient budget implementation.
“It gladness my heart to talk about PWDs. We appreciate the government for approving six sign interpreters in our state hospitals but it is not enough. Specific budget and efficient implementation is needed to tackle the challenges we are facing in our society.”
Other key stakeholders who spoke at the event called for collective responsibility to address the yearnings of PWDS.
They also urge various ministries and agencies such as Office of Disability Affairs, Ministries of Works, Women Affairs, Housing snd Corporation, Hospital Management Board etc to prioritise the welfare of PWDs in the state.
