Kwara State government has restated its commitment to supporting people with disabilities in the state achieve their potential.

The governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, gave the assurance at the 2007 International Day for Persons with Disabilities held in Ilorin, the state capital.

Represented at the occasion by the state Head of Service, Mohammed Dabarako, he said the government was aware of the important role people with disabilities can play in development of the country if they are adequately catered for.

Saraki said that it is in realization of this fact that his administration has invested heavily in the training of such persons in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, and on provision of employment and resettlement for the trained people.

He said the government has also engaged in house-to-house vaccination of pregnant women and children against polio and other childhood diseases and providing mobility aids such as wheel chairs, tricycles, crutches, artificial limbs, hearing aids and guide canes for the people.

The governor commended the effort of a disabled, Olusegun Bamidele, for guiding a motorized prototype tricycle for the use of the disabled.

He assured that his administration would encourage a person who makes effort at providing solution to human problems.

He urged wealthy individuals and corporate bodies in the state to join hands with the government in providing for the needs of the disabled people.

The Commissioner for Social Development and culture, Mrs Helen Popoola, urged the people with disabilities to make use of their talents positively to complement efforts of the government in developing the state.