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Worried about the pains and agony of people living with disabilities, a group under the auspices of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the recent hike in the pump price of petrol.
The group in a statement endorsed by its executive director, David Anyaele also urged the president to ensure that adequate measures are put in place to reduce the pains of disabled people.
It expressed shock at the increase of pump price from N86.50 to N145.00 by Minister for State, Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu, at a time they were already over-burdened by harsh economic realities.
“This action is a classical example of government’s carelessness, insensitivity and calculated to inflict pain and uncommon hardship against the poor masses, especially Nigerians with disabilities in particular.
According to him, their position is informed by the fact that the price hike is a retrogressive policy against them.
His said, “What this increase means is that the cost of living with disability will definitely increase far beyond what you can imagine.”
According to them a blind person for instance, will pay more to move around with a personal assistant, so are other persons with physical challenges.
He expressed displeasure that while people living with disability are asking the National Assembly to pass the Nigeria Disability Bill, their problems are being further compounded.
