Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, has disbursed N66.7 million to 6,679 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state donated by Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako (Sarkin Yamman Sokoto) as part of activities marking International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
The Governor on Tuesday evening at the Government House informed them of a cash donation of 10,000 Naira each by the former Governor of the state Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako (Sarkin Yamman Sokoto) to all the 6,679 physically challenge persons registered by the state government, saying that each PWD will receive N10,000 as a gift, aside his monthly stipend of 10 thousand Naira paid by the state government.
He said: “It’s his administration’s determination and commitment to enhance the welfare and well-being of people living with disabilities.
“It’s the policy of my Government to improve the living standard and welfare of persons with disability through enhanced livelihoods and full integration into society.”
Similarly, the Governor distributed 500 Wheelchairs to some physically challenged persons to enhance their movement, adding that more 500 would be provided in the second phase of the exercise.
He highlighted various measures put in place by his administration, including the establishment of the Commission for Persons with Disability and the provision of grants to support their Operational activities.
The governor said at the inception of his government, he deliberately reintroduced the payment of the monthly allowance of N6,500 stopped by the immediate past administration of the PDP in the state.
“Recalled that Senator Aliyu Wamakko introduced the policy when he was the Governor, only to reintroduce an upward review to N10,000 to the 6,679 registered PWDs across the state.
“We also ensured the provision of Skills acquisition centers each across the 23 LG for PWDs and purchased a Bus for the association to ease their transportation need.
The state government is looking into the possibility of increasing the number of PWDs to 10,000 to benefit from the gesture.“
According to him, Sokoto state has in the past distributed food items such as Rice, Maize, Millet, Semovita, Spaghetti, cooking oil, and other essential oils to the group and other vulnerable across the state as palliative.
“My administration has fulfilled its pledge to unveil the distribution of 500 units of wheelchairs to the group, saying that another 500 units will be provided in the second phase.
However, the governor announced the state APC leader, Senator Aliyu Wamakko’s donation of N10,000 each to the 6, 679 registered PWDs in the state.
In her welcome address, the Overseer of Sokoto State Agency for PWDs, Amina Ka’oje commended the governor for the deliberate priority accorded to those with disabilities in the state.
Ka’oje further appealed to the governor to provide befitting office accommodation to enhance the operations of the agency toward building the state.
“We are also seeking the government to provide a window for employing and appointing our members who are qualified for positions and also request for allocation of the subsidized rice being sold.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar represented by the Sarkin Rafin Sokoto, Railway Bello noted that PWDs were an essential and integral proportion that add value in the process of state and nation-building, hence accorded their rightful place in the affairs of governance and policy formulation and implementation as citizens.
