The Senate Monday called on the Federal Government to fund the newly established National Commission for Persons with Disabilities ( NCPD) .
The Upper Legislative chamber which made the call through its Committee on Sports , Youth and Social Development during screening of nominees for the position of Chairman and members of the board of the Commission , said adequate funding of the Commission, will help in the practical activation of inherent abilities in the disabled .
Specifically the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Obinna Ogba ( PDP Ebonyi Central) in his remarks said it is one thing for government to set up the commission through bill passed to that effect by the National Assembly , but another thing for the commission to be adequately funded in achieving the purpose for which it was set up for .
” We thank the executive for setting up the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and nominating persons to run it , but putting such intervention mechanism in place without required funding , will defeat the purpose for which it was established .
” On our own part here in the Senate and by extension , the National Assembly , having through legislation , facilitated the establishment of the commission , we shall at any given time , make required appropriation for effective and efficient functioning of the commission.
“It is a welcome development that appointments of nominees into the commission are being screened four days after the International Day for Persons Leaving with Disabilities ( PLD) , mark on December 3rd on yearly basis”, he said .
He however admonished the Screened nominees to remember their co- protesters in the past by carrying them along in the scheme of things .
“Mr Chairman – Designate and the Six members , please after confirmation by the Senate Tuesday or Wednesday this week, remember to use the commission to take care of interests of the disabled , particularly those who were with you in the trenches during the protests; era”, he said .
Those screened and designated for confirmation as nominated by President Buhari , are Hon ( Dr) Hussaini Suleiman Kangiwa as Chairman from North West, Oparaku Onyejelam Jaja as member from South East and Philomena Isioma Konwea from South -South as member .
Others are Omopariola Busuyi Oluwasola as member from South West, Amina Rahma Audu as member from North West , Esther Andrew Awu as member from North Central and Abba Audu Ibrahim as member from North East .
