PWDs to benefit from 20bn/- in loans

KILIMANJARO: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has said that the government has allocated 20.21bn/- in the 2024/2025 financial year for Persons With Disabilities ( PWDs) which are interest free loans from 10 per cent of councils’ internal revenues.

The Premier made the remarks on Friday while representing President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan at the commemoration of International White Cane Safety Day and the 60th anniversary of the Tanzania League of the Blind (TLB) in Kilimanjaro Region.

“In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, local government allocated 16.14bn/- —this is a significant increase. Leaders of associations for people with disabilities should establish systems to ensure that your members can benefit from this opportunity provided by the government,” Majaliwa said.

The PM further said that through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the government has secured an 8.2bn/- grant to implement a project for screening children with visual and hearing impairment.

“Those who will be identified as needing aid devices will receive them free of charge. This project will begin in November 2024, benefiting over 300,000 children with vision challenges.” The Prime Minister added that in the 2024/2025 financial year, the government plans to build accessible educational infrastructure, including 6,357 classrooms, 1,482 toilets, 362 dining halls and 36 dormitories.

Additionally, the government plans to construct 184 new accessible schools and 186 dormitories in secondary schools. Commenting on the behaviour of some parents and guardians who hide children with disabilities, Majaliwa urged leaders of disability associations, in collaboration with Community Development Officers, to go down to the grassroots level to ensure that children with disabilities are not hidden.

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“There is no reason to hide a person with a disability; bring them forward and introduce them to the government so they can access opportunities and benefit from social services, including health and education. The government has opened doors for services to support them,” he said.

Majaliwa also emphasised that the availability of assistive and accessible technology is essential to ensure that people with visual impairment can access development opportunities and effectively contribute to the country’s economy.

For his part, TLB Secretary Mr Loata Mollel, expressed gratitude to President Samia for providing a 16.8m/- grant, which has funded the implementation of the organisation’s activities.

“We also thank the government for including people with disabilities in the preparation of the National Development Vision and we are confident that our issues will be incorporated into this vision,” he said.

He added that the purpose of the celebration is to promote the white cane as a symbol and tool of safety within the community and to demonstrate the abilities of people who are visually impaired in participating in various developmental and economic activities.

For his part, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office, Engineer Rogatus Mativila, said that Regional Administration and Local Government in collaboration with various education stakeholders, continue to improve learning and teaching environments for all students, including those with special needs.