Disability agency slammed

…the agency has failed us

THE Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) has failed persons with disabilities despite the good political will shown by the Patriotic Front (PF) government, Centre for Disability Development Research Law and Policy, Analyst for Africa, Charles Mwape has charged.

Prof Mwape said it was clear that ZAPD as a government agency charged with responsibility to coordinate disability functions on behalf of government was not doing its work.

“Both management and the Board of ZAPD have failed persons with disabilities in Zambia despite the good political will shown by Patriotic Front in both the 2011 to 2016 Party and 2016 to 2021 Party manifesto which clearly outline the vision of PF and the good intension addressing challenges that persons with disabilities are facing.

“Creation of employment and improved service delivery to persons with disabilities through establishing of district rehabilitation and habitation centres was at the centre stage of PF Government as outlined in the party manifesto but seven years down the line nothing has happened,” Mr Mwape said.

Prof Mwape said unless government urgently reviews the performance of ZAPD, persons with disabilities will continue begging in the streets and centres created to provide shelter employments for them will remain dormant.

Prof Mwape said the centre followed with keen interest the PF manifesto particularly disability chapters which it will use as a measure of performance in 2021 and beyond.