Nigerian People with Disabilities Write Open Letter to President Tinubu, Decry Economic Hardships

People with Disabilities (PWDs) have voiced their concerns about the soaring cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and overall hardship in Nigeria.

In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, the PWDs highlighted the additional challenges they face due to the ongoing economic difficulties.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and related unions also staged a nationwide protest on Tuesday to draw attention to the prevailing economic hardships across the country.

Jake Epelle, the Convener of Disability Inclusion Nigeria, underscored the dire situation faced by PWDs, emphasizing how the economic downturn exacerbates their struggles.

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He stated, “We write to express our deep concern for the welfare of all Nigerians and our profound alarm at the devastating impact of the current economic situation on the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly persons with disabilities.”

Epelle emphasized the urgent need for an inclusive approach to address economic challenges, suggesting the inclusion of PWDs in existing committees or the establishment of a dedicated committee to investigate and tackle the specific difficulties faced by Nigerians, especially amid the economic downturn.

He proposed various interventions the Federal Government could implement to support all citizens, particularly those with disabilities.

These include establishing food banks and stamps across local government areas or geopolitical zones, enhancing inclusive education initiatives, prioritizing accessible transportation infrastructure, designing skills development programs tailored to PWDs, incentivizing employers to create inclusive workplaces, and implementing tax breaks for assistive technology manufacturers.

Epelle urged the government to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions to ensure they adequately address the needs of PWDs and other vulnerable groups in society.