The North East Development Commission, (NEDC), has distributed one hundred and eighty-eight items to persons with disabilities in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The items include prosthetic limbs, crutches, and wheelchairs.
At the handover ceremony in Maiduguri, the North East Development Commission’s Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali, said the initiative is part of efforts to promote inclusivity and empowerment, for people living with disabilities.
“We want to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. These mobility aids will make a significant difference in the lives of our beneficiaries.”
The North East region has been severely impacted by insurgency and displacement, leading to a significant increase in the number of people living with disabilities.
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The NEDC’s intervention is a collaborative effort, with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, (NCPWD).
Dr James Lalu, who is the Executive Secretary noted that: “The ability to contribute to the development of the North-East is not in our legs, hands, ears, eyes, it is in our brains, and given the opportunity, we can do it smartly, intelligently and innovatively.”
The Assistive Devices and Interventions, aim to address the socio-economic challenges, faced by the vulnerable group, and promote independence, dignity, and economic self-sufficiency, in the region.
The beneficiaries are also to be credited with N50,000 each, to offset cost of transportation, accommodation, feeding and other expenses.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
