From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Government has warned physically-challenged persons against actions that are capable of disturbing the public peace.
This was even as Governor Nyesom Wike has approved the hosting of the 2017 World Disability Day Celebration in the state.
Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on physically-challenged matters, Itekena Altraide, stated this, on Tuesday, in Port Harcourt, during a maiden briefing of the Disability Office established by Governor Wike, last year.
The governor’s aide noted that disabled persons, who are interested in public service, would be sent for training, adding that those, who work in public domain without proper training, were exposing themselves to danger.
Altraide, while reacting to a recent barricade of the office of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in Port Harcourt, by some disabled persons, stated that it was inappropriate for disabled persons, who are aggrieved over actions of institutions of government, to take protests to cause public unrest.
He noted that the office would partner with security operatives in curbing the menace of disabled people disturbing public peace, noting that disabled persons ought to promote peace.
He said: “The menace of some persons with disability blocking certain roads and access to companies and organisations in Rivers State, thereby disturbing free flow of traffic and pedestrian are orchestrated without the knowledge and permission of this office. It is condemnable.
“We are stating that disabled people should desist from disturbing public peace. It is not the primary function of this office to instill public peace; but, the ordeal has been communicated to the commissioner of Police in the State and other security apparatus in the state, and we will readily cooperate with them in curbing this menace.”