NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABLITIES PRESS RELEASE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE: AYUBA GUFWAN TAKES ADVOCACY TO SALARIES, INCOMES AND WAGES COMMISSION Sequel to the agitations for an inclusive Salary structure for Persons with disabilities and the consequent visit of the Disability Commission to the National Assembly, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Gufwan has further taken the advocacy for an enhanced Salary structure to the Headquarters of National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) recently in Abuja. The ES informed that the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities since its establishment in 2020 has been carrying the burden of over 35 million Nigerians with one form of disability or the other and cannot afford to fail. The Disability Boss alluded that the inability of NCPWD to expand and operate regional offices has been as a result of the low budgetary provisions and absence of disability allowances. He equally acknowledged that his appointment by the Commander -in- Chief of the armed forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was to renew the hope that Persons with Disabilities are not alone in the struggle. Ayuba added that the sustainability of a person with disability requires an extra financial responsibility. "Let me state categorically that whenever a person with disability is to perform a task, there is always a need to budget for either a guide, an assistant or a sign language interpreter for the task to be accomplished" he said. Gufwan underscored the need to upscale the salary structure due to current economic realities. He further appreciated the Wages Commission for their passionate display of commitment to the course of Persons with disabilities despite the challenges of accessibility to their office premises. However, the Acting Secretary National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission Mr. Chiadi Adighiogu apologized for the inconveniences experienced by the team due to lack of accessibility but, reaffirmed the commitments of the Federal government to review the salary structures of Persons with Disabilities. He further disclosed that his office is awaiting the response of the request on the salary matter from the Presidency before taking up the next steps on the issue. The Ag.Secretary also promised to convey the outcome of the request to the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities as soon as approval is given. Mbanefo JohnMichaels Ikechukwu Head Information and Public Relations Unit, NCPWD 19th October, 2024