Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
Members of the Association of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ebonyi State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the Government House in Centenary City, Abakaliki, demanding Governor Francis Nwifuru’s assent to the Ebonyi State Disability Bill, improved welfare for persons with disabilities, and an end to an alleged plan to evict them from their state secretariat.
The protesters also called on the state government to enroll all eligible members of the association in the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme and restore the monthly subvention they said was discontinued after previous administrations.
During the demonstration, the protesters displayed placards with inscriptions such as: “Persons with Disabilities Are Human Beings and Should Be Treated with Dignity, Not Like Animals”; “Governor Nwifuru, Stop the Commissioner for Health from Evicting Us from Our State Secretariat”; and “Commissioner for Health, Leave Us Alone.”
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the State Chairman of the association, Comrade Friday Nwovu, said the group had repeatedly written to relevant government agencies over the alleged quit notice issued by the Ministry of Health but had received no favourable response.
He appealed to Governor Nwifuru to sign the Ebonyi State Disability Bill into law, describing it as a critical step toward protecting the rights and promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the state.
“We are aware that the Ebonyi State Disability Bill is before Governor Francis Nwifuru awaiting his assent. We appeal to him to kindly sign the bill into law,” Nwovu said.
He further urged the government to extend health insurance coverage to all members of the association and restore the monthly subvention previously enjoyed by the group.
“We received monthly subventions from past administrations, including the immediate past government. We are appealing to our peace-loving governor to restore the subvention to improve the welfare of our members and their families,” he said.
Nwovu also appealed to the governor to appoint qualified persons living with disabilities into his administration in line with his People’s Charter of Needs agenda, which he said promotes inclusiveness and equal opportunities.
On the reported eviction from the association’s secretariat located at Pressco Junction in Abakaliki, Nwovu urged the governor to direct the Ministries of Health and Women Affairs to suspend the move.
“Our greatest concern is the planned eviction from our secretariat. Because of our condition, we cannot easily relocate to another facility that lacks the accessibility and infrastructure required by persons with disabilities,” he said.
He maintained that the association had exhausted all official channels by writing several letters to the relevant authorities before resorting to the peaceful protest.
Responding to the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Echieagu, assured them that Governor Nwifuru was committed to addressing their concerns.
Echieagu disclosed that the governor had concluded plans to assent to the Ebonyi State Disability Bill and noted that some members of the association had already been enrolled in the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme.
“I had earlier conveyed your requests to the governor, including the appeal for assent to the Disability Bill. I want to assure you that your request has been favourably considered, and very soon the governor will sign the bill into law,” he said.
He also assured the protesters that the state government would engage the relevant ministries and agencies to resolve the dispute surrounding the association’s secretariat amicably.
‘Treat Us With Dignity’: Ebonyi PWDs Protest Over Disability Bill, Welfare
