Citizens with Disabilities back mass action against fuel price

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Thursday said that the organization will supports mass action against fuel price.

David Anyaele, Director of CCD exclusively NEWSVERGE that he was shocked over the increase of petrol pump price from N86.50 to N145.00 by the Minister for State, Petroleum, Mr. Ibe Kachukwu.

Comrade David Anyaele

Speaking during a telephone interview, Anyaele said that the actions of President Mohammadu Buhari is a classical example of government carelessness, insensitivity and state effort to inflict pain and uncommon hardship on the poor and Nigerians with disabilities in particular.

“What the increase in fuel pump price means is that the cost of living with disability will definitely increase far beyond what you can think or imagine; a blind Nigerian will pay more than ever before to move around with his personal assistant so also is a person with physical challenges”. He explained.

The Director of CCD also said that the increase in fuel pump price is an attempt to reduce participation of people with disability in economic activities even as the cost of transport as highly increased; “higher exposure to multiple disabilities, increased poverty, family breakdown, and sometimes to untimely death”, he added.

Anyaele stressed that poverty is the major cause of disability and that disability cause poverty as well.

He however called on President Muhammadu Buhari to return to petroleum pump price of N86.50.

“Ensure adequate measure to reduce the pains and agony of living with disability in Nigeria.

“We call on Nigerians to ensure that issues of concern to Nigerians living with disability are adequately mainstreamed in all dialogue with the government on this issue.

“This position is informed by our conclusion that President Mohammed Buhari’s hike in petrol price is a retrogressive policy against Nigerians and persons living with disability in particular, hence this government has attacked its credibility within the disability community”, Anyaele said.