The Federal Government says it has secured a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the tune of N20billion, to facilitate local production of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Dr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Lalu said, the need to source for investors in the manufacturing of locally made assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities became necessary due to the high cost of imported devices.
” Recently, we secured a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the tune of N20billion and the organisation is committed to coming and starting the local manufacturing of assistive devices, an MoU has already been signed.
”The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is going forward to make sure that we provide this opportunity to Nigeria for the manufacturing of local assistive devices.
”Because, 99 per cent of our assistive devices are imported and the price is higher and are now getting out of the reach of the poor and the budgetary allocation provided may not be able to provide assistive devices to the disability community across all states of the federation.
He therefore said, promoting local content in the manufacturing of assistive devices will go along way to increase patronage and boost the nation’s economy.
”But, with the local manufacturing of assistive devices it will encourage the state government, local government, different government agencies to procure and distribute it to the disability communities.
”The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is working already in the area of local manufacturing of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities.
”These involves wheelchairs, hearing aid and other devices for the blind, the deaf as well as persons with Albinism and we have procured this assistive devices and distributed to disability associations, NGOs and individuals with Disabilities across the federation” lalu said.
The Executive Secretary said that the commission is touting for talent in innovative and creative industry to improve in the production of assistive devices for PwDs.
” Just recently, we saw a video circulating on social media about one person in Kano who was able to manufacture a digital eye-glass that assists a blind person to walk around using sensor that would communicate to him through voice.
” When we saw this, we put an invitation to the innovator to be here, we are expected to receive him on Tuesday next week.
” We are going to review this to see what we can do to partner with the Bank of Industry and NASENI to bring this innovation to reality in Nigeria.
” I believe Nigeria is a land of great opportunities, we will therefore scout for this opportunity in our intention to bring the disability community into the technological era”