By Wilfred Latimore Oghenesivbe
Delta State Government will continue to prioritize empowerment and skills acquisition for People With Disabilities to enable them fulfil live.well and prosper, as encapsulated in the MORE Agenda of governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
State Committee Chairman of D-CARES programme and Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sunny Ekedayen, gave the assurance during the distribution of farm implements, fertilizes and seedlings to 6,026 farmers, as well as startup kits and cash presentation to 250 PWDs from the three senatorial districts.
In May, the state government provided health insurance for 250 PWDs, 10 each from the 25 local government areas to enable them access free health care services in any government hospitals and accredited private hospitals.
The state government, according to Mr Ekedayen, will continue to upscale provisions for people with disabilities, as directed by the State governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, in fulfilment of campaign promises, noting that in Delta, PWDs are encouraged to acquire skills and formal education, so that they can compete favourably in their career and line of businesses or vocation.
Ten PWDs through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, also received cash gifts of between N50,000 and N500,000 to expand small businesses and to pay school fees and meet other needs.
“As a state, Delta remain focused on human capacity development for PWDs, and we shall continue to do so until all PWDs are empowered.
“Governor Oborevwori is very passionate about PWDs, and we have also considered some who are qualified for political appointments, to serve as true representatives of PWDs, the government and society.
“They are always considered and given adequate slots in all government programmes and spread of dividends of democracy.
“The governor will never approve any empowerment programme or palliate distribution that does not accommodate PWDs.
“We are going to expand the health insurance slot for PWDs in the state. 250 of them have been captured.
“We are working with the various local government councils and MDAs to expand health insurance, job and wealth creation for people with disabilities,” Ekedayen assured.
