EFCC Offers Support For People Living With Disabilities

SAN FRANCISCO, February 20, (THEWILL) - The Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde has promised that any fraudulent act meted out to people living with disabilities will receive the attention of the commission and culprits brought to book.

Lamorde, who spoke through his Director of Operations Olaolu Adegbite, while receiving visiting members of the Disabled Persons Foundation on Tuesday February 19, 2013 at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, promised the group that matters concerning them will receive expeditious action.

Led by its Executive Director, Bello Bala, other members of the foundation are Sobo Tokula, Alhaji Mohammed Issa, Maxwell Mangit, Mohammed Adelami, Haruna Usman, Patricia Albert and Dr Amuche Nwaogbo.

Bala, in his remark, articulated the grievance of over 19 million Nigerians living with disabilities. According to him, public policies are skewed against persons living with disabilities as their peculiar needs and interests are rarely factored into such policies. This neglect, he said, has caused them inherent pain and driven most people living with disabilities to the streets as beggars. He noted that persons living with disabilities are bunch of talented citizens who can contribute their quota to national development if given the opportunity and encouragement.

In her contribution, Mrs Patricia Albert, Chief Executive, Building Hope for Special Learners (BHSL), who came with the group, stated that her experience with PWDs abroad has shown that if well catered for, people living with disabilities can make meaningful contribution to the society.

In response, Adegbite commended the group for their determination and resilience in pursuing the cause of PWDs, stating that EFCC will leave no stone unturned in prosecuting any person or group who circumvents their entitlements. He urged members of DRF not to be discouraged but to document such acts in a petition to the Commission.