Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under the umbrella body of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilties (JONAPWD), Lagos State Chapter have demanded the setting up of disability offices at the local government levels for easy access and support to PWDs from the Lagos state government.
The call was made during the presentation of the Charter of Demands of PWDs in Lagos ahead of 2023 Elections, organized by JONAPWD Lagos in collaboration with BONews Service.
While speaking at the launch, Dr. Adebukola Adeayo, the Chairman of JONAPWD Lagos stressed that disability support and resource centres should be opened to all PWDs at LGA levels for documentation and easy access to support from the government.
Adebayo also commended some LGAs that are trailing the blaze and committing to advance disability issues stressing that, “we started talking to the local government directly and, some of the local government officials are beginning to respond to our demands like Ifako-Ijaye, Ojodu-Ogba, Ikorodu However, we are asking the Lagos state government to hasten and set up offices for disability affairs in every local governments”
He harped on the need for the Lagos State Government to engage with legitimate organisations of PWDs like JONAPWD, Clusters association and others, adding that, “If you don’t engage us, you will not know how, what we feel and need, that’s why we are engaging the media to tell our plight.”
He recommended that government should recruit specialist to support the work of Lagos State Office of the Disabilities Affairs (LASODA).
Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, Founder/Publisher of BONews Service while speaking at the event also implored the Lagos State Government to address the demands of PWDs that have been documented in the Charter of Demands, to ensure PWDs benefit from the government.
During his opening remark, Chairman JONAPWD Media Committee, Mr. Adewale Adeyanju said, “we want a better life. If government have anything for us, they should ensure that noone is left behind in the disability community because nothing for us without us.”
He also called for the support of the media, to amplify the concerns and plights of PWDs in the state with the aim of getting the right attention.