BY: JOSHUA ADINOYI
As part of efforts at reducing the impact of natural and other disasters on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), the Christian Blind Mission CBM in partnership with the Sustainable Family Healthcare Foundation (SFHF) has launched the Enhanced Disability Inclusive Disaster Risks Reduction (E-DIDRR) Project in Kogi State.
The Project is to complement government efforts in disaster management, particularly giving hope to persons with disabilities in the Society who are usually affected by various disasters.
CBM’s Community-Based Inclusive Development Coordinator, Innocent Alobu, in his address noted that PWDs are often neglected during and after effect of disasters, pointing out that the Project seeks to bring an end to such trend.
Alohu said CBM is committed to ensuring the success of the project in the Confluence State, assuring that PWDs will be carried along every step of the way.
While commending Kogi State government for domesticating the Disability Rights Law, Alohu hinted that the initiative will include capacity building, livelihood support and improved access to healthcare during disasters for the community of PWDs in the State.
On her part, the Executive Director, Sustainable Family Health Care Foundation (SFHCF), Ogunmaiye Peters, stated that the project will kick start from two Local Government Areas of Lokoja and Ajaokuta with six benefiting Communities, hoping for scope expansion in the days ahead.
Ogunmaiye who said the project will complement the efforts of Kogi State government in disaster management, promised transparency and accountability in all their activities.
She assured PWDs in Kogi that a new lease of life has come to them through the project, urging them to use whatever that is given to them for the purpose intended.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Muktar Atimah, described the launch of the Project as timely in view of the continuous climate change, stating that the partnership will strengthen Kogi State’s preparedness and response during emergencies.
Atimah noted that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to ensuring better life for Kogites, stressing that measures have been put in place at reducing the effect of disasters on the citizens.
The Executive Secretary, Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs, Yakubu Nazir Abdulhakeem in his remark, expressed delight over the Launch of the Project, urging all stakeholders to ensure that Persons With Disabilities are actively involved in the planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction strategies to build a more inclusive and responsive system that saves lives and supports the most vulnerable members of the society.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on SEMA, Hon. Sandra Mimi Musa, the SA on Emergency Management to the Governor, Representatives of Honourable Commissioners, Security Agencies, NGOs, amongst others, were present at the official launch of the E-DIDRR Project at the event Hall of the Reverton Hotel, Lokoja, Kogi State Capital.
