Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, said on Wednesday that the state government has empowered no less than 1,000 physically challenged women as part of efforts to curb street begging.
Masari made the disclosure in Katsina while distributing empowerment package to the beneficiaries drawn from the 34 local government areas of the state.
He said that each beneficiary was given N5, 000 to set up a business and stressed that the government was determined to enhance the living condition of the less privileged and youth in the state.
Masari further said that the APC in the state had reserved executive positions for the physically challenged persons at ward, local governments and state level in line with the party’s constitution.
He pledged that the state government would continue to design policies and programmes to enhance the living condition of physically challenged persons to prevent them from engaging street begging.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Bidiyya Hassan called on the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by properly utilising the money given to them.
He also urged them to support the re-election of governor Masari in 2019.
Responding, Alhaji Garba Nahuta, Chairman of the state Joint Disabled Association, commended the government for the support and assured that the beneficiaries would make judicious use of the money given to them.
