The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has called for timely and adequate budgetary releases to support its operations and programs for persons with disabilities.
The Executive Secretary, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, made this appeal,while defending the commission's 2024 budget performance and presenting its proposed 2025 budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters.
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Hon. Gufwan presented a budget proposal of ₦2,103,094,169.00 for 2025, highlighting key initiatives such as the Disability Socio-Economic Empowerment Programme and the Gender and Development Programme for Women with Disabilities. These initiatives aim to promote economic empowerment and gender inclusion for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Breaking down the proposed budget, he noted:Personnel Costs: ₦294,169,000 Overhead Costs: ₦763,256,207.00,Capital Expenditure: ₦1,045,668,671
However, the Executive Secretary lamented challenges faced by the commission, especially regarding operational costs. He stressed the impact of irregular power supply, which forces the commission to rely heavily on generators.
"Despite allocations, we still face substantial challenges in sustaining basic operations due to inconsistent power supply. These additional costs strain our resources and hinder effective service delivery," Gufwan said.
Committee members raised concerns about budgetary releases, wage awards, and salary adjustments affecting personnel costs. In response, Gufwan assured them that the proposed budget was carefully calculated based on current nominal rolls and expected expenses.
"Performance depends largely on releases. Without adequate funding, key initiatives will be stifled. We appeal to this committee to advocate for timely and sufficient releases to enable us to meet our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and deliver meaningful results to the disability community," he stated.
Earlier this month, the NCPWD also defended its budgets before the Senate Committee on Special Duties, addressing similar issues of resource allocation and performance.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the welfare of persons with disabilities through strategic programs and advocacy. Hon. Ayuba Gufwan thanked the National Assembly for its support and urged continuous collaboration to address the challenges faced by the commission.
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