Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NCPWD, James Lalu, wants the Federal Capital Territory Administration to consider allocating shops to traders with disabilities within Abuja.
The FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike, had officially prohibited street trading as he recently stressed the importance of removing street hawkers off the streets of Abuja to address security issues, stating that criminals utilize the opportunity to spy and gather information.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the NCPWD boss, appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allocate shops to 293 traders with disabilities within the territory.
Lalu, praised the traders with Disabilities for their determination to remain law-abiding citizens and their courageous transition from street begging to engaging in legitimate business activities.
He said, “As an institution, we call upon the FCT Minister to create more opportunities for traders with disabilities and are eager to partner with the FCTA to provide shops that will enable them to conduct their businesses legitimately.”
He assured them that their grievances regarding disruptions to their businesses would be directly presented to the FCT Minister for prompt action.
Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, Lalu emphasized that persons with disabilities constitute a significant portion of Nigeria’s population, estimated at 15%, with approximately 32 million individuals with disabilities across the 774 local government areas.
Lalu said, “We commend the Self-Reliant Physicality Challenge Traders Association of Nigeria for their efforts to be law-abiding citizens. We appreciate their mobilization and organization to bring forth reports and complaints regarding 293 members who have been engaging in legitimate and lawful business activities around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
“We extend our gratitude for their commitment to self-reliance and for eliminating excuses related to disability by engaging in street begging.”
He stated that “This commendable action has not gone unnoticed, and we want to assure you that your complaints about disruptions to your business will be presented to the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesome Wike. We will work to ensure that alternative means are provided for you to continue your legitimate businesses.”
“It is essential to highlight that, despite the challenges, persons with disabilities should not be left behind in government policies. We are currently gathering necessary data to present to the Chairman of the National Economic Council, Vice President Kassim Shettima, as the disability community constitutes 15% of Nigeria’s population, with an estimated 32 million individuals with disabilities across the 774 local government areas.
“We believe that persons with disabilities deserve the attention and inclusion of the government in all policy matters. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, is committed to starting a national social register which will include PWDs and other programs, in addition, NCPWD in partnership with the Bank of Industry, will commence training for traders in the FCT to enable them to benefit from soft loans.
“We commend you for transitioning from street begging to engaging in lawful businesses and assure you that the government will always recognize your efforts.”
Earlier, Secretary-General of the Self-Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders Association of Nigeria, Idiris Yahaya, said, “Our reason for coming together today is due to a directive from the Minister, instructing traders with disabilities to cease street trading in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
“In our commitment to obey the law, we complied with this directive. It has been more than three weeks since we ceased our business activities.”
He noted that “We have families and dependents who rely on our income. The seriousness of the situation became evident when one of our members was arrested and taken to SARs.”
“We wish to clarify that we do not engage in street begging; we are engaged in legitimate business activities. Those who frequent the Berger and Banex areas of FCT can attest to seeing us conducting our businesses.”
“We appeal to the government to provide us with shops so that we can relocate to the market and continue our business activities.”
“On her part, Women Leader of the Self-Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders Association of Nigeria, Hafsat Isa, said, our association comprises approximately 100 women involved in various small-scale trading activities. Often, when we display our goods on the street, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board intervenes, confiscating our goods and arresting our members.”
“We do not wish to resort to begging, and now we are being prevented from conducting the businesses that sustain our families.”
