The Federal Government has said it has set aside Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth N20 billion to boost local manufacturing of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
The Executive Secretary, National Commission on Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr James Lalu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Lalu said the high cost of imported equipment has forced them to find investors to locally manufacture assistive devices for people with disabilities.
“Recently, we secured foreign direct investment worth 20 billion naira and MoUs have already been signed and the organisation is committed to commencing local manufacturing of assistive devices.
“The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities will go ahead to provide opportunities for local manufacturing of assistive devices in Nigeria.”
“This is because 99 percent of our assistive devices are imported, making them expensive and beyond the reach of the poor.
“Even with the allocated budget, it may not be possible to provide assistive devices to the disabled community in all states of the federation,” he said.
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Lalu added that promoting local products in the manufacture of assistive devices would go a long way in increasing customer base and boosting the country’s economy.
“Manufacturing assistive devices locally will encourage state and local governments and other government agencies to procure and distribute assistive devices to the disability community.”
“The National Commission for Disabled People is already working in the field of local manufacturing of assistive devices for the disabled.
“This includes wheelchairs, hearing aids and other equipment for the blind, deaf and albinism sufferers,” he said.
The Secretary-General revealed that they are tapping talent in innovative and creative industries to improve the production of assistive devices for people with disabilities.
“Just recently, I saw a video circulating on social media about a person from Kano who has produced digital glasses that can help the visually impaired walk using sensors that communicate through voice.
“We saw this and invited innovators to come to our headquarters.
“We are waiting for him to come to our headquarters on Tuesday to go over his invention, see what we can do and partner with the Bank of Industry and NASENI to make this innovation a reality in Nigeria,” he said.
Lalu noted that Nigeria is a country of great opportunities, adding that the committee will explore opportunities in other countries to help the disability community adapt to the technological age.
(naan)
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