The Association of Physically Challenged Persons in Kaduna State, has urged Governor Nasir el-Rufai to provide them with alternative means of livelihood that would help them stop begging on the streets.
Leader of the association, Adullahi Samaila, said many of them had ability in their disabilities.
While speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Samaila said that members of the association had the capacity to engage in other trades for sustainable livelihood if assisted by the government.
"Most of the physically challenged persons you see here have undergone training and have
acquired skills. We have skills in areas such as welding, shoe making, hair dressing and barbing." he said.
acquired skills. We have skills in areas such as welding, shoe making, hair dressing and barbing." he said.
"If the necessary support is provided to us, we will accept and start doing something viable other than begging. Nobody will be on the street begging because most of us beg out of necessity," he added.
Samaila therefore urged el-Rufa'i to come implement programmes to support them in becoming self-reliant like he did in Abuja when he served as minister.
According to the leader, the governor at that time provided land and training in relevant trades to persons with disabilities before placing ban on street begging.
"That is why we are also appealing that we need similar things here too. We are also calling on him to fulfill his election campaign promise to provide alternative means of livelihood to us before banning street begging."
Samaila added that "most of us are also facing the same kind of challenges as able-bodied persons like paying school fees and hospital bills, we are therefore appealing to him to help us."
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