BY: VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
The Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Hon. Iyadim Amboni Iyadim has assured physically challenged indigenes of the area that his administration will carry everyone along to create sense of belonging amongst the different strata.
He made the remarks while receiving members of the Nigerian Association for the Blind, Cross River State Chapter, led by its secretary, Mr Esuk Etim Okon, during a courtesy call in his office.
Iyadim disclosed that his administration , when fully constituted , will incorporate disabled persons into the scheme of things.
According to the him, “there is ability in disability, and I intend to work with you because some of you have the capacity to render valuable services to the society in spite of your current conditions”.
He said the council when operational, will organise training programmes in various arts and crafts as well as open a desk office in the area to address their needs with the view of making them relevant to the society through skills acquisition.
Iyadim stressed that making them useful will not only boost their livelihood and policy thrust of government but will enhance the primary aim of setting up the local government which is to bring government closer to the people at the grass root level.
Speaking earlier, the secretary, Nigerian Association for the Blind, Cross River Chapter, Mr Esuk Etim Okon, said the visit was to acquaint the council of their contributions and appealed that the be carried along in its programmes.
Okon, who is an indigene of Bakassi noted that the vulnerable and people living with disability can be coopted into the council’s developmental programs as many of them are trained in different fields of endeavour that can add value to the council.
He reiterated the need to open a Desk Office for the group in the council to aid coordination of activities of those living with disabilities liaise with the council, expressing that at federal and state levels, government has made provisions for them to articulate their functions and that same be replicated at the local level.
” This will create a space for us to be a part government and as now letters have been written to the local government councils in the state for us to be carried along as we will humble to be part of the system, he said”.
