By Jeff Agbodo, Abakaliki
Members of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ebonyi State chapter, on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Abakaliki, demanding greater inclusion and improved welfare from the state government.
The protesters called for monthly financial support, welfare assistance and the immediate assent to the Disability Bill recently passed by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
They also protested an alleged eviction notice issued to their secretariat, a facility they said they had occupied for over 10 years, allegedly by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr Felicia Nwamkpuma.
The group, carrying placards with various inscriptions, appealed to Governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene, stressing the need for persons with disabilities to be included in governance, appointments and empowerment programmes.
Speaking during the protest, the state Chairman of JONAPWD, Comrade Friday Nwovu, lamented what he described as continued marginalisation of persons with disabilities despite repeated appeals to government authorities.
Nwovu expressed concern that the alleged quit notice was issued without prior consultation with the association, urging the government to engage the group in dialogue.
He appealed to the governor to approve monthly subventions for the association, extend welfare packages to members, assent to the Disability Bill and appoint qualified persons with disabilities into strategic government positions.
Despite their grievances, the group expressed continued support for the Nwifuru administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding to the protesters on behalf of the state government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu, assured them that the Disability Bill had received the governor’s approval and would soon complete the final assent process.
Echiegu also disclosed that over 300 persons with disabilities had been enrolled in the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) to access free healthcare services.
He assured the group that the administration remained committed to addressing their concerns on welfare and accommodation, adding that the governor would meet with JONAPWD leaders and relevant commissioners to find lasting solutions to the issues raised.
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