Physically Challenged Persons Protest Over Monthly Stipends

Phyiscally Challenged Persons last Wednesday took to the streets of Bayelsa blocking the busy, Okilo Road, the only outlet of the state capital, alleging that the administration of Seriake Dickson has not take them into consideration in policies.

They also claimed that for several months, the state government has not paid them the usual monthly stipends, a situation they said have adversely affected them and their dependants.

A man who claimed to be one of the active members of the association, who pleaded anonymity told The Tide that the protest was to draw attention of the public to their plights, stressing that “since we cannot reach the government, our actions today could attract their attention”.

During the protest which was peaceful, motorists  coming into and going out of the state capital were stranded for hours, with commutters sweating profusely inside their vejicles.

The 15 minutes rains did not help matters, as the protesters were adamant insisting that a government representative must come to address them, not even the appeal of senior police officers who were standing nearby, could be heeded to.

However, after much appeal by well meaning citizens, they opened part of the road and allow people to pass.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Markson Fefegha said, government understand their problems and would soon address them, promising that the issue would be tabled before the state executive council meeting for lasting solutions.

He appealed to the protesters to show understandings as government will do everything to ameliorate their sufferings.