Crisis now rocks the Joint National Association Of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Rivers State some stakeholders’ have sacked the Kio Obomanu led State Executive Council and had inaugurated a caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of the association in the state.
The newly elected caretaker committee members includes: Hon Peter Job Wota (Chairman) from Obio/Akpor LGA, Comrade Ngo Baridapdoo (Secretary) from Khana LGA, Comrade Collins Akpanah (PRO) from Akuku-Toru LGA, Comrade Chinonso Ejimozor (Treasurer) from Etche LGA and seven other members drawn from other local government areas of the state.
According to a communique issued at the end of the congress : “The entire community of persons with disabilities in Rivers State have unanimously agreed to use this medium to inform security agencies, the media, both the public and private sectors as well as the general public on the issues confronting the association in the state.
“Issues that have been compromised by the Executive body led by Kio Obomanu which can best be described as self-centeredness and criminal actions.
“The issues include Interference with national matters of our association without consultations, frivolous taxation on members, lack of accountability/embezzlement, self-centredness in charity items dispensation or proceeds for-instance AGIP and Nigeria Customs, intimidation and molestation of persons with disabilities just to mention but a few.
“Premised on the above-mentioned anomalies, after an exhaustive brainstorming session, the congress passed a vote of no confidence, nullifying the entire executive led by Kio Obomanu for serious gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds.
“Thereafter, the 11-man caretaker committee was reconstituted and sworn-in this day with a view to run an election within a period of three (3) months.”
In his acceptance speech, the new Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon Peter Job Wota said: “On behalf of the good people living with disabilities in Rivers State, I want to thank everyone who has found me worthy in character and in learning and for appointing me as the chairman, caretaker committee of JONAPWD in Rivers State.
“I intend to serve to the best of my knowledge as I also thank the Almighty God whom in His infinite mercy has sustained me and the entire community of persons living with disabilities.
“Finally, I want to encourage each and every one of us to never give up. With you and I working together as a team and God on our side, the sky is our limit. Thank you and God bless.”
Representing Comrade Ernest Obuzor who is the South-south Coordinator of JONAPWD, Comrade Fatai Onifade said: “We are here to monitor the congress in Rivers State. And all that took place here will be related to the national. This congress was transparent in the sense that JONAPWD which comprises of six clusters that include: The physically challenged, the visually impaired, the spinal cord impaired (people on wheelchairs), the deaf, the leper and the mentally derailed are here except the mentally derailed which we are not working with. That was why I said the congress was done in line with due process and was very peaceful.”
On his part, the JONAPWD Chairman for Niger Delta Region, Comrade David ThankGod Enogo said: “As a matter of facts, the community of persons with disabilities deemed it necessary to meet and brainstorm on issues that have to do with their welfare.
“Part of what they resolved as a stumbling block to the association was the exco led by Kio Obomanu and what they did was to dissolve that exco and form a caretaker committee that will pilot the affairs of the community of persons living with disabilities in Rivers State.
“As a stakeholder, what is paramount to me is the peaceful conduct of the affairs and activities of our organization as well as the decision of our followers.
“As you all observe, congress made their submissions and came up with a resolution which we have no choice than to abide by.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Kio Obomanu could not be immediately reached for comments on the matter.
Similarly, Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) from the Ogoni extraction in Rivers State have accused Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) of not engaging them in the Ogoni clean process.
the PWDs under the auspices of the National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities in Ogoni (NAPDO) through a press statement signed by Comrade Ngo Baridapdoo J (coordinator), Comrade Kaaga Kune N (Khana LGA), Comrade Helen Kemgbara (Gokana LGA), Comrade Precious S. Nniwura (Tai LGA) and Comrade Olaka Sunday Mba (Eleme LGA) further called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nyesom Wike to prevail on HYPREP to give them jobs.
The statement reads: “We, National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities in Ogoni want to inform the public that HYPREP is playing politics with the physically challenged persons in Ogoni. We have sent a letter of audience to HYPREP since 30th November 2018, no response till date. We have sent a reminder on the 10th of December 2018 and another one this January to its director’s email which he directed us to send into, yet HYPREP has not responded to us.
“However, as we speak now, HYPREP is training and employing while some contractors have been mobilized to site, yet it has not to include physically challenged persons in the Ogoni cleanup process. So, we ask: ‘Are we not part of the society? Why is it that the leadership of Ogoni has forgotten our existence?’
“Moreso, we have also sent a letter of audience to the former State Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Roseline Konya on 18th October 2018 and she failed to acknowledge us, including His Royal Majesty, King Giniwa and MOSOP President, Mr Legborsi Piagbara.
“We, the above-mentioned association in Ogoni have been working for the empowerment and integration of persons living with disabilities. If we react tomorrow since we are not recognised in the society where we belong, the public will see us as troublesome, wicked and a bad set of people. Whereas we are peaceful, creative and educated.
“Therefore, we use this medium to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to come and help us address this issue because we the physically challenged persons in Ogoni have been left out in the cleanup process. We also call on His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike to come to our aid because we are part of the society.”
You would recall that in abolishing any form of discrimination against PWDs in the country that President Buhari signed The Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill into law.
A statement from the presidency explained that, the Act prohibits all forms of discrimination on ground of disability and imposes fine of N1, 000, 000 for corporate bodies and N100, 000 for individuals or a term of six months imprisonment for violation, adding that concurrently it guarantees right to maintain civil action for damage by the person injured against any defaulter.
According to the presidency: “The Act also provides for a five-year transitional period within which public buildings, structures or automobile are to be modified to be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, including those on wheelchairs.
“Before erecting any public structure, its plan shall be scrutinized by the relevant authority to ensure that the plan conforms with the building code.
“A government or government agency, body or individual responsible for the approval of building plans shall not approve the plan of a public building if the plan does not make provision for accessibility facilities in line with the building code.
“An officer who approves or directs the approval of a building plan that contravenes the building code commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of at least N1, 000, 000 or a term of imprisonment of two years or both.
“Discrimination is prohibited in public transportation facilities and service providers are to make provision for the physically, visually and hearing impaired and all persons howsoever challenged. This applies to Seaports, Railways and Airport facilities.
“The rights and privileges include education, healthcare, priority in accommodation and emergencies.
“Furthermore, all public organisations are to reserve at least 5 per cent of employment opportunities for these persons.
“The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is also established in Section 31 with Executive Secretary as the head.”
