GOV. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says his administration would, within the next few weeks, constitute an Advisory Council on Persons with Physical Disabilities, to help implement policies geared towards integrating such persons into the society.

Obaseki made this known when he received the report of the Committee on Integrating the Physically Challenged Persons into the workings of Edo government at Government House, Benin on Tuesday.

He said that there was need for a governance structure to be put in place to evolve specific plans as well as monitor implementation of policies that would make life meaningful for persons with physical disabilities.

“As a society, we should show concern and empathy for the most vulnerable and among these categories are persons with physical disabilities.

“We will ensure that all of our programmes will have components for persons physically challenged and with special needs.”

Obaseki commended the committee for its report, saying that the data generated would help the state government in its policy formation.

He said his administration would also work on a policy that would see that employers of labour engaged persons with physical disabilities in their work place

Presenting the report to the governor, the Chairman of committee, Dr Vivian Audu, said no fewer than 3,015 physically challenged persons were captured during the statewide survey.

Audu said majority of those sampled were between ages 18 to 51 and had primary education.

She recommended empowerment such as skll acquisition and giving of interest free loans, saying “when they are empowered, they will not be a burden to themselves and the society

She also recommended that the government should formulate a policy that would make 10 per cent of persons with physical disabilities employed in work places.

–NAN

BE

– Nov. 7, 2018 @ 10:55 GMT |