PWDs Agency seeks partnership with ACReSAL to enhance economic wellbeing of vulnerable group in Bauchi

By Samuel Luka,
Bauchi

The Bauchi state Agency for People With Disabilities (PWDs) has approached the World Bank Assisted Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project for collaboration to help enhance economic status of Vulnerable target group in the State.

The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Hon. Brisca Joram Aaron who stated this when she led her management staff on a courtesy visit to the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of ACReSAL in Bauchi on Tuesday, explained that the initiative was aimed at seeking the inclusion of People with Disabilities (PWDs) into it’s green businesses lifesaving skills programs.

Hon. Brisca Aaron said that the objective of their visit to the Bauchi State ACReSAL office was to explore areas where the Project office can lend it’s assistance and support the empowerment initiatives of her Agency, aimed at improving the economic status of Bauchi PWDs.

She explained that the visit marks a significant milestone for the Agency for PWDs which might pave the way for partnership with ACReSAL with a view to bringing succour and giving meaning to the lives of Bauchi State PWDs.

Hon. Brisca who stated that the last census carried by the Agency indicated that Bauchi State has over 31,000 PWDs, expressed optimisms that the number has increased because of factors like migrations due to civil unrest in neighbouring states.

“It is also our candid belief that these numbers have increased due to the enabling environment created by State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed. The accommodating nature of Bauchi State citizens and the existence of the Agency for PWDs are other factors that contributed to influx of PWDs into Bauchi State”, she said.

“So, in an effort to give these segments of our vulnerable target groups a sense of belonging and also empower them to be self reliant, the Agency has articulated some programs aimed at improving the economic status of the PWDs”, Hon. Brisca added.

While commending the Bauchi ACReSAL Project Unit for the giant strides it made in carrying out it’s mandate especially in the areas of climate change mitigation initiatives, Hon Brisca also commnded the state project coordinator of ACReSAL, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir for his recent feat in attracting foreign partnership for Bauchi State on renewable energy, waste management, ecology, forestry management, and environmental utilization.

While responding, the state Project Coordinator of the ACReSAL, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir disclosed that plans have reached advanced level for the establishment and renovation of well equipped skill acquisition centres for PWDs across the 20 LGAs in the State to give them sense of belonging.

The Project Coordinator who described the initiative as one of the best projects under ACReSAL, said it has the potential to transform the lives of the marginalized communities in Green Businesses.

Dr. Kabir who promised to be committed to exploring all avenues to support these individuals, said ACReSAL project, which has already made substantial progress in combating the effects of climate change in the state is now making additional effort towards focusing on social inclusion of the most marginalized and vulnerable in the society.

According to him, the effort will afford them the opportunity to contribute their quota towards addressing the lingering environmental challenges such as deforestation, drought, water flooding and effects of climate change among others.

He stated that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has already welcomed the idea of establishing these dedicated centres for people with disabilities, along with having a sustainability model to ensure the longevity of this laudable initiative.