Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has assured people living with disabilities in the state of government’s commitment towards giving them a sense of belonging in its welfare and development agenda.
Senator Diri made the commitment while addressing the leadership of the state chapter of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities at the entrance of the Government House gate, Yenagoa.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, maintained that his administration would continue to exude love and treat all law-abiding citizens with dignity and respect for their fundamental human rights.
According to the state Chief Executive, the present administration would do everything within the ambits of the law to protect the rights and privileges of physically challenged persons in the state.
He advised them to always follow due process by channelling their complaints for government to act on, rather than take laws into their hands by staging demonstrations at the slightest provocation.
Addressing the issue of alleged discrimination by the Management of the Niger Delta University against their colleague, Mr Numuworimi Yeitaribo, in the recruitment of a new Bursar, Senator Diri promised to look into the matter dispassionately.
The Governor said he would also hear from the Management of the institution to enable government take an informed decision to resolve the disagreement.
He also promised to address the alleged suspension of salaries of two of their members by the Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Council and the plea to relocate members whose business locations were affected by the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in Yenagoa.
“This Government believes so much in justice and equity and the need to be fair to every law-abiding member of society. So, I want to assure you that government is going to look into all the issues you have raised in your protest letter”, he said. But we are going to hear from the Management of NDU as well, because if you hear from only one side and take decision, you are likely to make mistakes. We don’t want to make such mistakes so we will ask them what actually happened. Whether the man in question did other things, we need to know. So, you don’t have to protest about it because we going to handle the matter objectively”, he said.
“On the issue of how business posts being affected by the ongoing demolition and request to relocate, Government will set up a committee to look into it. Your mother, the Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs and Social Development as well as the Environment Commissioner will be part of it. You don’t have to come out for demonstration over every issue without first of all channeling your complaints to government. If every person or group that has issues with government protest that way, you will not even find any space close to this place”, he added.
“Let me therefore caution you not to take laws into your hands. You must know that just as you have the right to swing your hands, another person also has the right to defend his nose or eyes from your hands”, the governor noted.
Earlier, the state Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Ikilowei Eric, said they were in Government House to present a protest letter over alleged discrimination and suspension of its member by the Management of the Niger Delta University.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa