The Niger Delta Coalition of persons with disabilities (NIDECOP) has given a 7-day ultimatum to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to employ them or face unwarranted consequences.
The coordinator of the group Comrade David thankGod Enogho dropped the bombshell at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Comrade Enogho further explained that the underdevelopment of the region has compounded their challenges and people with disabilities are now facing hell while on earth and called on those in authorities to quickly assist them in the areas of employment, contract, skills acquisition, vocational training and involve them in the socio-political affairs in the region since most of them are graduates.
He stated that currently there is no blueprint by the state and local governments that will adequately correct these imposed barriers on them while calling for the establishment of vocational centres and special schools across the Niger Delta to help people with disabilities.
The coordinator said emphatically that government at all levels had failed to include the deaf, dumb and the blind in the BVN bank policy as amputees are left out with those on the wheel chair to access ATM machine complaining that these policies are against their corporate existence.
Comrade Enogho maintained that as adult most persons with disabilities still crawl on the ground due to lack of wheel chair and mobility aids and called on those in authorities to have a change of heart and include them in the scheme of things.
“Government at all levels have not consider us especially accessing public buildings which is against our fundamental Human Right, even as religious leaders has done nothing to alleviate this victimization.”
Answering questions on NDDC, the coordinator said the leadership of NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta has done nothing to alleviate their plights through employment both at the Head office or state office since most of them are graduates that are ready to work to assist their families.
On the issue of factions among the group, Enogho explained that the particular group is the umbrella body that comprises the Niger Delta states.
Also speaking, the south-south coordinator Joint National Association of People with disabilities, Comrade Ernest Igbuzor said the governors have always exclude them from the budget every year, a situation that is discriminating against persons with disabilities.
They warned that if NDDC did not look into their plights they will be forced to demonstrate since demonstrations would call for an end to their marginalization by both government and companies. ###
Pius Dukor
