The Kogi chapter of persons with disabilities (PWDs) has appealed to Gov. Ahmed Ododo for at least 300 employment slots in the state civil service to be given to their members.

The chapter president, Samuel Mark, made the appeal on Friday, when he led members to Government House, Lokoja, to congratulate the governor on his one year in office.

Mr Mark told the governor that the appeal for the recruitment of PWDs became imperative in view of their neglect and discrimination against them.

The president noted that even in the Kogi Office for Disabilities Affairs, only one person with a disability works there, a situation he described as “very disturbing.”

“We hereby appeal to your excellency to consider us and employ more of us in that office.

“We believe that this step, if taken, shall reduce the level of unemployment in the state. It will equally prove that the office belongs to us, the PWDs.

“It may interest you to know that there are graduates and people with master’s degrees among us, yet none is being considered for employment. The worse scenario is the doctors and nurses among us, who are still unemployed,” he said.

Mr Mark added that appointing a PWD as the secretary of the Kogi office for disability affairs was not enough to show the friendly nature of the present administration.

The president, however, lauded the state government’s special attention given to them in palliative distribution and coverage in the state health insurance agency.

“The prompt salary payment to workers, the general road infrastructure, reconstruction and repairs across the state, and above all, the relative peace being enjoyed amongst others are commendable.

“Again, your recent prompt response to the pains of the people as exhibited during the tax clearance certificate saga as a prerequisite to students registration in tertiary institutions is laudable,” Mr Mark said.

Responding, Mr Ododo, represented by the commissioner for special duties and intergovernmental affairs, Sunday Faleke, assured the PWDs in the state of employment opportunities in the next job recruitment exercise.

The governor said that he holds PWDs in high esteem and would look into their request.

Mr Ododo urged the leadership of the group to compile and submit the data of those qualified among them for each establishment or ministry of their choice.

“I am assuring you that through the office of the chief of staff, we shall follow what former Gov. Yahyah Bello has laid down as policy to ensure that the dividends of democracy are enjoyed by all.

“Do ensure that all eligible, employable PWD data is being submitted to the Kogi Office for Disability Affairs.

“Make sure your data is properly captured because the government will reach out to all agencies as expected and will ensure employment is given to the candidates that are captured,” he assured.

Solomon Yahyah, the chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Kogi chapter, thanked the governor for the reception accorded them at the government house.

Mr Yahaya appealed to the governor to kindly restore the stipends given to the PWDs by former Gov. Bello and to also help increase the figure of palliatives allocated to PWDs in the state.

(NAN)