Database
By Nefishetu Yakubu
Benin, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called for a comprehensive database of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Edo.
The centre also charged state governments to develop and implement budgetary policies that put PWDs into consideration.
CCD acting Director, Mr Godwin Unumeri, gave the charge in Benin on Wednesday at a two-day training for PWDs on rights advocacy and advocacy action plan.
Unumeri called on the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Edo to work with the government to come up with a comprehensive database of PWDs.
The database, he said, would aid planning.
According to him, state governments must ensure that PWDs are carried along in their budgets, right from planning to the implementation stages.
“They should also provide them with easy access to all public infrastructure.
“As of today, there is a gap; the prejudice is still there. The various state governments have to address this gap.
“They must ensure that budgets are addressed in a way that will affect persons with disabilities; the male, the female and everything about PWDs.
“Budgets are tools that affect your lives. So, PWDs-inclusive budgets need to involve them right from planning to implementation.
“If you leave it to the governments alone to do it, they might be inclined to budget for only those visible to them at the planning stage.
“Insist that everything you need is included in the budget,” he said.
On her part, the Chairperson of JONAPWD in Edo, Ann Ojugo, thanked CCD for the training.
According to her, the training will help them leverage advocacy to champion their rights. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
NY/AYO/MAS
Edited by Ayodeji Alabi and Moses Solanke
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