RANGPUR, Dec 04, 2019 (BSS) – Officials at a discussion have said the local government institutions (LGIs) should play a vital role for development of disabled persons to attain the sustainable development goals (SDGs) leaving none behind.
They said this at the discussion titled ‘Role of LGIs in Development of Disabled Persons’ held at a local hotel here on Tuesday afternoon, a press release sad today.
The National Council of Disabled Women (NCDW) organised the event with the assistance of the ADD International Bangladesh with President of NCDW Nasima Akhter in the chair.
Government officials, chairmen and vice-chairmen of upazila parishads, chairmen and members of union parishads, Social Service Officers and representatives of different Disabled Peoples’ Organisations attended the occasion.
District Education Officer Shajahan Siddik attended the discussion as the chief guest while Gangachara upazila chairman Ruhul Amin addressed as special guest.
President of Rangdhanu District Protibondhi Adhikar Sangstha Saidar Rahman delivered welcome speech in the discussion moderated by Filed Coordinator of NCDW Hasanuzzaman.
Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services Humayun Kabir, Assistant Engineer of LGED Abul Kashem and Senior Trainer of the Department of Youth Development Farid Uzzaman spoke.
Terming disable population as integral part of the society, the speakers said the nation can not achieve sustainable development leaving disabled people behind.
Humayun Kabir said disabled population can do the same like the able people to contribute their own to the nation-building activities and the LGIs should play a vital role for their inclusive development.
“The upazila and union parishads can increase allocations in their annual development budgets for disabled population to ensure their inclusion, participation and representation in development activities,” he said.
The chief guest said the government has enacted the Disabled People’s Rights Protection Act, 2013 to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities for their development and mainstreaming in the society.
“In addition to the government initiatives, the LGIs should provide education, training and assistance to disabled population to make them productive human resources for their development to attain the SDGs,” he said.