FCTA to consider the physically challenged in future construction plans

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said the administration will introduce regulations to ensure that all future public buildings plans consider people with disabilities before their approval.

Bello stated this when he received a delegation from the Kpakpando Foundation that visited him on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, FCT Administration also intends to seek ways to amend existing building structures to make them navigable by the physically challenged and other vulnerable citizens.

He noted that a modification of the building housing the Minister’s office was carried out last year to provide for a ramp and conference room on the ground floor for meetings with the persons with disabilities.

Bello also pointed out that plans are ongoing to create informal markets in the city where persons with disabilities, less privileged and other interested residents could own stalls.

The minister expressed his determination to provide economic opportunities for residents with disabilities in the FCT society.

“I can easily identify with the plight of the physically challenged, having had a sister that was afflicted with polio and I am conversant with their difficulties.

“As Nigerians, we feel very proud that your foundation has been recognized and invited the FCTA to be part of the celebration of the United Nations 10th Anniversary on Persons with Disabilities.

“We appreciate your agreeing to take somebody from among our physically challenged brothers and sisters here; I assure you that the person’s trip will be funded by the FCT Administration,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Kpakpando Foundation, Sen. Osita Izunaso said that the leadership of the foundation was in the FCTA to explore areas of collaboration toward the establishment of a database for persons with disabilities.

He said this is to ensure that all public buildings provide access for the physically challenged.

The APC Chieftain disclosed that part of their plan is also to partner with the Administration in the area of setting up schools for persons with disabilities in the Federal Capital Territory.

“We are here today to also inform you that we want to establish a very strong presence in the territory.

“We have also been invited by the United Nations to attend the 10th year United Nations Convention on Persons with disabilities holding in June,’’ he added.

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A visually impaired member of the entourage, Mr Danjuma Attah, who became blind at the age of 13, commended the FCT minister for his concern for the vulnerable.

He disclosed how the minister changed his fortunes by signing his license as a tour operator for the Umrah and Hajj, when the minister served as the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Attah, however, sought for the support of the FCT Administration through the provision of a plot of land for the construction of a special centre for the blind.

The centre, Attah said would be equipped with fitness and medical facilities suitable for the blind and the visually impaired.