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Disabled Persons Protest Lack Of Empowerment
Barely a week after the Delta State Government set aside five percent of vacancies in recruitment exercise for disabled persons, a group under the aegis of Delta State Physically Challenged in Oil and Gas Producing Communities has protested over lack of empowerment from the government.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, as part of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of persons in that category has at the 2009 International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Asaba announced that the Delta State Government has reserved five percent of vacancies in any recruitment exercise into the state’s public service for qualified disabled persons.
The people from Warri, numbering more than 60 had in anger the previous day, gone to the entrance gate of the State Government House, along Anwai Road , asking to see the State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to lay their complaints to him , but they were refused entry, and at the State House of Assembly, the protesters blocked the gate , preventing vehicles from either going in or coming out of the complex. At a point, while many of them were trying to cross the road to gather at the Assembly gate, they caused an obstruction which affected other road users.
According to their leader and Spokesman , Mr. Daniel Ogor, “We were stranded.
We came to the government House at 1.00pm yesterday . We waited and had to stay their in front of the government house gate till this morning when we decided to come(here) to the State House of Assembly in a peaceful protest to let the lawmakers know our problem.”
Asked what their problems are, Mr. Ogor who said they came from Warri area of the State, said,” we need empowerment from the government , our hospital bills which government promised to pay, have not been paid for long, as a result, we are no longer receiving treatment at Rafa Specialist Hospital, Warri .
According to the group, “we had written series of proposals for the government to engage us in Skills Acquisition , but nothing has been done to that effect.
The Spokesman further said that the government has denied them their monthly allowances for some time , a reason for which they were protesting also.
To crown their requests, the disabled people also slammed the government for not listening to their request , that the Special Assistant to the Governor on the Physically Challenged, should be a physically challenged person, one of their own.
They decried a situation where the position is given to an able bodied person who does not know and feel the pains of physical disability, as is the case presently.
While the people are yet to have the above requests granted, they are also asking that government should also do something good for them to enable them celebrate the Christmas happily with their families.” We want them to make sure that they give us something for us to celebrate Christmas with our families. Let government celebrate our Christmas by giving us things to make our families enjoy with us”
To assuage the anger of the group, a lawmaker, Honourable Victor Ochei spoke to them imploring them to take it easy as government will address their problems and asked them to come back, Thursday this week.
On his part, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Publicity, Honourable Abel Oshevire said that they physically challenged have every right like any of us as contained in the Constitution , stressing that it is unfortunate they are in that condition, , . He however advised them to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters ,”and I believe that the government would address their issues accordingly.” The House during its sitting , amongst other things, screened and confirmed members of the local government pensions board.
Meanwhile, during the 2009 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held last week in Asaba, the governor represented by his deputy, Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), explained that “Since the inception of this administration, concerted efforts have been made to improve the living condition of persons with disabilities in the state though several programmes.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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