Group seeks participation of PWDs in Ekiti budgeting process

A group, Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI), has called for the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ekiti’s budgeting process.

The group made the call on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti at a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Review of the Ekiti State 2023 Budget/Mobilising PWDs on Budget Tracking, Monitoring and Reporting.

The Executive Director of DINABI, Ekiti State Chapter, Mr Olajide Funso, said that the programme was aimed at mobilising PWDs in respect of budget tracking, monitoring and implementation.

While decrying the inability of PWDs to access public facilities, banks, hospitals in terms of creating ramps, sign language interpreters in public functions among others, he urged the state government to implement the 2023 budget for efficient service delivery.

“We are clamouring for inclusive and participatory budgeting that whenever government is to formulate budget, they should be able to invite PWDs and participate effectively that will lead to political inclusion.

“We are reviewing the Ekiti State 2023 budget as it relates to PWDs.

“We are trying to mobilise the community of PWDs in Ekiti State to be able to track and monitor budget implementation in Ekiti State, especially those aspects that have to do with the accessibility of PWDs to public facilities and services in the state.

“We want to build the capacities of PWDs in terms of budget process, tracking and monitoring in the state and at the same time build their capacities to understand disability laws in Ekiti State, the National Disability Act in Nigeria especially those aspects that have to do with accessibility to public facilities, banks, hospitals and in terms of creating ramps.

“When you go to some of these offices and hospitals, you will realise that some of them are grossly inaccessible for persons on wheelchairs. When you don’t have these accessibility put in place, it becomes a problem,” he said.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Ekiti State Chapter, Mr Owolabi Kayode, hailed the state government for approving the appointment of six sign interpreters in state hospitals while calling for efficient budget implementation.

“We appreciate the government for approving six sign interpreters in our state hospitals but it is not enough. Specific budget and efficient implementation are needed to tackle the challenges we are facing in our society,” he said.

Other key stakeholders, who spoke at the event, called for collective responsibility to address the yearnings of PWDS.

They also urged various ministries and agencies such as Office of Disability Affairs, Ministries of Works, Women Affairs, Housing snd Corporation, Hospital Management Board among others to prioritise the welfare of PWDs in the state.