Lagosians with disabilities have critiqued the performance of the current administration in Lagos State, saying it has not shown any commitment to disability inclusion in its policies and programs.
This was contained in a press release issued by Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Lagos State Chapter in commemoration of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s one year in office.
According to Dr. Adebayo, PWDs in the state are concerned that the current administration has not taken into cognizance the needs of the community which constitute over 2 million Lagosians.
He noted that the THEMES Agenda, which is the governor’s pillar of development offered some hope in the provision of inclusive practices in all sectors but has not lived to its expectations in the past one year.
He said, “while we acknowledge and appreciate the Excellency’s personal commitment to promoting disability-inclusion and empowerment, Lagosians with disabilities are concerned that after one year, there haven’t been any evidence to show a strategic, institutional, policy/program-driven approaches to implementing Governor Sanwo-Olu’s passionate love for persons with disabilities.
“The THEMES Agenda offered Lagosians with disabilities some hope of enhancement of their inclusion in all sectors of life in our emerging smart mega city.
“However, the administration has failed after one year to strengthen the State’s disability agency, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, (LASODA) with which it would have achieved this important goal,” he added.
He also noted that LASODA up till now has no Board and General manager to pilot its affairs which could be the reason so much has not been achieved regarding disability inclusion in the state.
The JONAPWD chairman however request that as Governor Sanwoolu’s Administration continues its second year in office, it is imperative that the government strengthens the institutional capacity of LASODA.
“Lagosians with disabilities would much happier to see the urgent set-up and institutional strengthening of LASODA; Restoration of the Disability Empowerment Fund
“An Executive Order mandating all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs to set-up a Disability-Inclusion Desk to be supervises by a Director in charge of Planning.
“An Executive Order mandating all Local Government Areas, LGAs and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs to set-up Disability Support and Resource Office and the implementation of the Lagos State policy on Inclusive Education.
Dr. Adebayo said it is hoped that all the requests of Lagosians with disabilities would have been granted by the end of Governor Sanwoolu’s 2nd year in office, which is May 2021.