EBONYI DISABILITY GROUP DEMANDS DEDICATED COMMISSION, BETTER OPPORTUNITIES

Persons with Disabilities in Ebonyi State have renewed their appeal to the state government to establish a dedicated Disability Commission and introduce stronger measures to promote their welfare and participation in society.

The call was made by the Ebonyi chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, which urged Governor Francis Nwifuru to give greater priority to the needs of people living with disabilities across the state.

The state chairman of JONAPWD, Friday Nwovu, said the proposed commission would provide a structured platform for addressing issues affecting persons with disabilities and ensuring that government interventions reach those who need them.

According to him, a statutory commission would play an important role in promoting education, skills development, employment and political participation among persons with disabilities.

Nwovu said the disability community in Ebonyi was facing serious economic difficulties, with many members struggling to meet basic needs and unable to pursue further education because of the cost of schooling.

He disclosed that more than 50 persons with disabilities had recently approached the association for financial assistance to enable them to register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The development, he said, reflected the financial challenges confronting members of the community and the need for government-backed programmes that provide sustainable support rather than temporary assistance.

Nwovu explained that JONAPWD has a grassroots structure covering all 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State, with different clusters established to represent members and protect their interests.

He said the association's broad presence could help government agencies effectively identify the needs of persons with disabilities and implement programmes that would have a direct impact at the community level.

The JONAPWD chairman also addressed reports of divisions within the disability community, attributing some of the disagreements to the difficult economic conditions faced by members.

He argued that widespread poverty had left some persons with disabilities dependent on handouts and political patronage, making it difficult for them to achieve financial independence.

Nwovu maintained that the establishment of a dedicated commission would help change this situation by moving persons with disabilities away from dependence on temporary benefits and towards enjoying rights guaranteed by law.

He stressed that persons with disabilities should not be treated as beneficiaries of political favours but as citizens entitled to equal opportunities and access to government programmes.

He further said the proposed commission could strengthen advocacy, promote public awareness and ensure that local authorities comply with accessibility standards.

According to him, stronger institutional support would also make it easier to monitor government policies affecting persons with disabilities and hold relevant authorities accountable.

Nwovu called for greater investment in skills acquisition and empowerment programmes, saying persons with disabilities should be given opportunities to become economically productive rather than being forced to rely on begging or assistance.

He also urged the state government to improve access to education and employment while ensuring that people with disabilities are adequately represented in decision-making processes.

The association believes that sustained government intervention could significantly improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities across Ebonyi State.

Nwovu expressed optimism that with proper support, skills development and meaningful inclusion, more persons with disabilities would become self-reliant and contribute more effectively to the state's development.

He therefore appealed to the state government to consider the immediate establishment of the proposed Disability Commission and make disability inclusion a central part of its development agenda.