By; Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna.
Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Commissioner, Hajiya Hafsat Baba has lamented the dilapidated conditions of Kaduna Rehabilitation Center in the state.
She frowned at how the center was neglected despite the fact that the children at the Centre needed assistance and care from government due to their conditions.
The Commissioner disclosed this to newsmen shortly after
paying a surprised visit to the Center to see things for her self days after her appointment as Commissioner.
According to her, from what she has seen so far the centre
needed total rehabilitation because the children there need urgent government attention.
“As you know the rehabilitation center is under the
ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. It was my first time of visiting the center to see things for myself
since I assumed duty as the Commissioner.
“I’m not happy with what I saw because these are
special children that needs to be properly taken good
care of. Some of them are blind, crippled and the center lacks borehole closed to their hostels.
“So imagine how they cope without water closed to them. I saw them holding jerricans going to fetch water. Their toilets were not friendly, particularly for blind and crippled during rainy season.
“Their classes lacks chairs which means they sit on the
floor to receive lessons. The hostels lack security guard.
This is not ideal, So, we need to write a comprehensive
report to the governor on their challenges because they
deserved better ” she said.
The Commissioner said she will continue to visit other
agencies under her ministry unannounced so as to acquire first hand information about their activities.
The Center Manager, Rehab Jushua Akut who took the Commissioner round the Centre appealed to the ministry to provide better life to the children in the center.
According to her, providing a conducive environment will encourage other parents to send their disabled children to the Centre and that will help end street begging in the state.
