Elizabeth Nicolas, Chair-lady of the Physically Disabled in Central Equatoria State speaks to Eye Radio. Tuesday 27 June 2023. Photo: Charles Wote/Eye Radio.

The Chairlady of the Union of Physically Disabled in Central Equatoria State is urging the government to allocate 1% of the proposed national budget for the empowerment of people with special needs.

Elizabeth Nicolas made the appeal after the Minister of Finance, Dier Tong presented a two-point-two trillion pounds 2023/2025 fiscal year budget to the national parliament.

The draft budget prioritizes peace building, salaries, macroeconomic stabilization, and allocates fund for infrastructural projects.

It also proposed increment of salaries of civil servants and members of the organized forces by 4oo percent, among others.

However, it made no particular mention of an empowerment of people with special needs.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Thursday, Ms. Nicolas urged the national parliament to reconsider persons with disabilities.

“If the government is unable to say let persons with disability study for free, we can use the allocated budget to enroll our children who have no opportunity to study,” she said.

Ms. Nicholas also said the suggested 1% allocation to the disabled people can enable them to have resources and contribute to nation-building.

“So, we have just heard that a budget has been presented but ours has not appeared. I am therefore begging because our rights have acceded but it is not working so I am begging at least even if it is one percent, let them allocate for us.”

She further calls for the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that was acceded to by President Salva Kiir in February this year.

The convention, which was recently ratified by South Sudan, promotes, protects, and ensures the full and equal human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons with disabilities and promotes respect for their inherent dignity.