Lorine Emenike
Persons with disabilities in Rivers State have cried out against the total neglect of their rights and existence by the State government and the general public in the State.
In a sensitization workshop organized by Social Action, a Port Harcourt based civil society organization to educate persons with disabilities in the state on their electoral rights as citizens, the Budget Lead Analyst of the organization Mr Prince Ekpere told the group that it is their right and obligation as citizens in a particular state to vote and be voted for especially in the forthcoming election.
On his part, Mr Kingsley of 34-years-old disabled called on the government and INEC to provide polling units/boots that will enable the physically challenged persons to cast their votes conveniently.
Mr Kingsley also said that the government and other well-meaning agencies should give more attention to persons with disabilities in the state by providing jobs for graduates (persons with disability).
He said that they are largely denied opportunities in society because of their physical conditions.
Mr Kingsley also said that government and other well-meaning agencies should consider giving scholarships to persons living with disabilities in the state, adding that by so doing, it will encourage them to be accepted in the society like the abled persons.
He said that most of the physically challenged persons in the state live on the goodwill of friends which is most time demoralizing. He explained that government and other relevant agencies should consider aiding the physically challenged persons in the state by giving them scholarships or sponsoring them to achieve their individualistic dreams, stressing that by so doing, it will make life easy for them.
“I believe there is ability in every disability” he said.
He added that if they are given the opportunity to be formerly educated, definitely they will contribute to the development of the state and the nation as well.
On her part, Ms Lydia Kelly, a 36-year-old Lady who is visually impaired, said she had previously been maltreated because of her condition in casting her vote, which she insisted is her right as a law abiding citizen living in the state.
She lamented that despite being physically challenged, they also have a challenge of not knowing where they truly belong in terms of casting their votes as disables within the state.
“I expected the government to let the public know that persons with disabilities have equal rights within the country they live in. They have the right to vote and be voted for, with regards to our disability bills. I will really appreciate it if the government will pass this bill into law so we will have a say in the country where we belong”.
The Budget Lead Analyst of Social Action, Mr Prince Ekpere assured the group that his organization will ensure that something is done to bring the disired change considering their pains and neglect in the society.
He said the vision of his organization has always been and will always be to see a prosperous state where democratic values are indeed striving and that the people get the values and the social delivery of what government is suppose to do for them.
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