Gyang Bere, Jos
The National Secretary of Amputees Coalition of Nigeria (ACON), Gorge Dominic Anwayi said Federal Government has not fully implemented the Disability Rights Law signed recently by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He acknowledged the appointment of few people with disability by President Muhammadu Buhari but said that thousands of them are dying in silence due to lack of mobility, physical accessibility and stigmatisation in their areas of unemployment.
Anwayi disclosed this on Friday during a one day Amputees conference organised by the Amputees Coalition of Nigeria in collaboration with Dynamic Orthodontics and Prosthetic Nig. Ltd, held in Jos, Plateau State.
He lamented that most amputees in the country are left to suffer their fate and called on President Buhari to ensure that the disability rights law is fully implemented to provide inclusiveness for all physically challenged persons in the country.
“We are all aware of the disability rights law that was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari but it is not just the signing of the bill into law that matters but implementing the law to the fullest. Up to now we are having issues and challenges despite the fact that the law has been past.
“Government needs to really come in strongly and seriously ensure that the law is fully implemented. Disability is not a charity issue, you are not trying to help people, it is the duty of government to take responsibility of the welfare of the citizens, including amputees; they must be included in all government programmes, that is what we call inclusion.”
He said the physically challenged are embedded with special gifts, which if given the opportunity will generate huge revenue for the country.
Awayi noted that over 500 people with amputees from most states of the North came for the conference and encouraged them not to limit themselves by their predicament but come out to exercise their right.
The story of Mary Fidelis, a 16-year-old native of Benue State was very sympathetic. She who lost one of her limbs when Fulani herdsmen invaded their house and chopped off one of her leg.
“It was at the age of 2 when Fulani herdsmen came to our house, my mother ran and left me inside the room and Fulani people came and cut off one of my leg and left me to die but to God be the glory I survived it. She said.
Most of the amputees complaint that their challenges came as a result of motor accident, communal crises, diabetes and other social activities.