From Obinna Odogwu, Abakaliki
PHYSICALLY challenged persons in Ebonyi State have lamented the sharing formulae adopted for the state government’s N2.5 million largesse to them last year.
This is even as the Technical Assistant to Governor David Umahi on People with Disabilities and Information Communication Technology (ICT), Parkins Uzor, yesterday, petitioned the state House of Assembly over alleged plot to shutdown the state by people living with disabilities.
The petition, read out by the Chairman, House Adhoc Committee set up to look into the matter, Frank Onwe, alleged that some members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) were planning to protest against the Ebonyi State Government on series of issues bothering on their welfare.
“I want to express my total dismay over the incessant harassment of the public by the members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ebonyi State chapter.
“On 3rd December, 2016, one Mr Desmond (surname withheld) in collaboration with other members of JONAPWD planned a protest to block Government House gate and cause breakdown of law and other in the state. The individuals mentioned in the petition were present at the meeting but denied the allegation. A former caretaker committee Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Nwachukwu, told the lawmakers that the problems was fuelled by N2.5 million largesse given to them by Governor Umahi.
“On 27th December, 2016, the physically challenged persons visited the Governor David Umahi in his residence.
“He gave us N2 million for our Christmas celebration but those who attended the gathering shared the money among themselves with each of them getting N8,000 with two bags of rice each.
“Over N500,000 remained. But instead of extending that to other physically challenged persons who were not there, some members started wrangling over it.
“Before that N2million was shared, one of them said that he must be given N100,000 before the money would be shared otherwise he would not agree. His request upset some members and they started quarrelling over it.
“Later at the Women’s Development Centre, they shared the remaining N500,000 with each person getting about N30,000 each. I was there but I didn’t collect any money from them.
“When our election day drew closer, the SSA to Gov. Umahi on Religion and Welfare Matters, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, approved the sum of N200,000 for us. On the day of the congress, the election committee was nominated. But series of stories trailed what happened to the money” he stated.