Physically Challenged Demand Special Ministry In Ogun

The Joint National Association of People Living with Disabilities in Ogun State has called for the establishment of a special ministry to handle matters of the physically-challenged persons.

Mr. Biodun Adebesin, the spokesperson for the association, made the plea on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

He said the establishment of a special ministry would allow for better welfare and care by the government for the physically-challenged.

Adebesin said further that the association demanded for 50 percent slot in the workforce of the ministry when created.

He appealed to the state government to appoint a special adviser who would be an intermediary between the association and the government.

“The creation of this ministry will cater for the life of people living with disabilities and it will make life better for them.

“The appointment of special adviser by the governor will also allow for free flow of information between the association and the government to solve most of our challenges,” he said.

Adebesin also appealed for the speedy passage of a bill for the right of people living with disabilities by the state House of Assembly.

He explained that the drafted copy of the bill was submitted in December 2011 to the assembly, adding that the passage of the bill would make life easier for the physically-challenged.

“If this bill is passed into law, it will give us better opportunity in the area of education, health, employment, sports and every other aspects of our life because the issue of disabilities is all encompassing.

“I want to appeal to members of the state House of Assembly to see to the quick passage of this bill; I want to beg them not to play politics with it because our life depends on it. ”

Adebesin also commended the state government in its efforts to make life better for the physically-challenged.