Lawmaker Makes Case For Physically Challenged In Rivers

A member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi, has canvassed for better welfare of the physically challenged persons in Rivers State.
Bipi, who is the House Chief Whip, made the call in a motion he raised at the floor of the House on the need to review the welfare and education of children with special needs and the physically challenged in the state.
He said the motion became necessary in view of several memos and calls he had received from physically challenged persons and urged the state government and non-governmental organizations to provide educational facilities and other social amenities for the physically challenged persons in the state.
He condemned any policy that is aimed at discriminating against the physically challenged persons in the society, saying equal rights to education, welfare and freedom of speech must be accorded them in accordance with chapter two, section 18 sub (1&3) and chapter four, section 42, sub (2) of 1999 Constitution.
The lawmaker noted that there is only one special school in the state, and described as worrisome the degree of neglect and abandonment of the school by the previous administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
According to him, it is unacceptable that in spite of over 13,000 teachers recruited by the Amaechi administration, no single teacher was deployed or trained to educate the children with special needs.
He , therefore, urged the House to review the current laws on education with a view to addressing some of the education challenges faced by children with special needs in the state, including establishing special schools in each of the senatorial districts.
“It is our responsibility to provide a conducive learning environment for these precious children,” he said.