From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State government has assured persons living with disabilities of inclusivity.
The Chief of Staff, Government House, Johnson Erijo made the promise when a delegation of the Forum of Challenged Persons in Service, Delta State, paid him a courtesy visit.
Erijo noted that human beings, whether challenged or not, are equal before God and should be treated as such, even as he condemned the sympathetic attitude of the society towards persons living with disabilities, instead of showing them empathy.
He said in recognition of persons in that category as critical stakeholders, government had continued to offer employment opportunities to them in the civil service, while many others had benefited and are still benefitting from various job creation and empowerment programmes.
On the problems facing members of the forum, the chief of staff assured that they would be dispassionately looked into to make life more meaningful for them, pointing out that the economic situation is more challenging for persons with disabilities.
Erijo urged them not to resign to fate, emphasizing that they should strive to create possibilities out of their disabilities to be able to survive, instead of begging for alms or seeking public sympathy.
He commended members of the forum for seeing the need to build their capacity either through education or skills acquisition, which made it possible for them to gain employment into the civil service.
Earlier, the Chairman of the forum, Mr Stephen Onwudiachi expressed appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for signing the Disability Bill into law, which he noted had given hope to persons living with disabilities in the state.
Onwudiachi also thanked him for his commitment to the welfare of Deltans, expressing confidence that persons living with disabilities would continue to enjoy support and care from the state government.
He, however, called on government to intervene in some critical issues affecting members of the forum, including disability maintenance allowance, accommodation/low-cost housing, exemption from contributory pension scheme, fast tracking pension payment to retired disabled workers, career advancement, disabled-friendly office buildings, among others.
