Persons With Disabilities In Ondo Accuse Intervention Agency Of Neglect

By Ayodele Oni

Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in coastal area of Ondo state have expressed displeasure over their neglect by the state owned intervention agency, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (OSPADEC).

The disabled persons, from Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments areas of the state have resolved to embark on mass protest to the commission’s office in Akure to demand for their rights.

Spokesman for the group, Ikuomola Olubadewa said in a statement that “This is as a result of the large marginalisation, neglect, and carelessness as a form of discrimination against persons with disabilities by the Commission since the tenure of Gbenga Edema, the immediate past Chairman of the commission till the date of  Erejuwa Sam, the present Chairman of the Commission.

“Several letters, sittings and consultations were made between the Executives of the Association of Persons With Disabilities in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Governments, and the management of the Commission over the stipulated and mandated yearly Empowerment Programme for Persons With Disabilities by the Commission in the two mandate areas of Ondo State.

“So unfortunately and uncalled for, the Commission under the present leadership of Hon. Erejuwa Sam insisted the he has nothing to offer for Persons With Disabilities in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Governments regarding the stipulated Empowerment Programme by the Commission.

“As a result of that, we the Executives of Persons With Disabilities in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Governments have met, we have discussed vividly and concluded that only the remedy needed wherein the OSOPADEC can positively comply and grant our request is peaceful protest which shall take place any moment from today.

“We the Executives of the Association of Persons With Disabilities called all our members under the eagies of the Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities, Association of Persons With Visual Impaired, Association of Persons With Hearing Impaired, Association of Persons With Albinism to be ready, to embark on a peaceful protest in OSOPADEC Akure.

“Since we were neglected by the past, the Hon. Gbenga Edema, and Sam Erejuwa, the Chairmen of OSOPADEC on our Empowerment Programme; while the only language the Commission needs is peaceful protest at OSOPADEC, Akure.”