We were excluded from palliative distribution – Bauchi PWDs allege

PDWS, or people with disabilities, in the Bauchi State Association have expressed outrage over perceived discrimination in the government’s palliative distribution programmes.

Abdullahi Isma’il, the chairman of the APWDs, claimed that his group was left out of the distribution process after pointing out irregularities.

Thus, he implored Bala Mohammed, the state governor, to look into the manner in which the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management dispersed the supplies—which included some cash—across the state.

In an interview with a small group of media on Tuesday, the chairman underlined the importance of having disabled people on committees going forward and accused the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of stockpiling palliative care.

“We are the right people to be given priority over any other group in the state,” he said. At first, we were told to wait patiently and that the palliatives will get to us once they were dispersed to each of the state’s 20 LGAs. Regretfully, that did not occur.

“We endured their choice with patience, but ultimately we received nothing. Merely a small number of members chosen at the time the palliatives were commissioned were given anything. Following commissioning, distribution was discontinued.

“Our palliatives were also hidden somewhere, sir,” he said. Please tell them to disclose it for us; the media should assist us in this. Additionally, our account information was gathered in order to be paid from the palliative funds. We didn’t receive the food or the money. Please, the media ought to support us.

“I also forgot to add that, His Excellency, Sen. Bala A Mohammed announced the release of 6,000 bags of rice with #60,000,000 for persons with disabilities only during the commissioning of the palliatives at ATBU Stadium, but nothing was given to us by the committee for the palliatives,” he continued.

“Another tragic issue is that, as part of the commissioning process for the palliatives, our kind Governor stated that 200 bags and N10,000 checks should be handed to people with disabilities before the 6,000 bags of rice and cash were distributed.

“It is disappointing that they disregarded the announcement made by His Excellency.”

Hajara Yakubu, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, did not answer calls or texts seeking a response when reached for comment.

According to reports, the state’s palliative distribution committee wrapped up the rice distribution programme that it had started in September of last year to help residents who were suffering as a result of the state’s suspension of fuel subsidies.

To lessen the impact of the elimination of fuel subsidies, the Federal Government stated in August of last year that it would be providing states with a palliative package worth N180 billion. 180 trucks of rice and N5 billion were supposed to be distributed to each state.

At the distribution committee’s closing ceremony last week at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Yakubu stated that the committee had performed the exercise in accordance with its mandate and had lived up to the confidence placed in it.