Ebonyi JONAPWD Members Get New Secretariat
By Alex Odeh , Pan Afric Reporters
The Members of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ebonyi State Chapter, have relocated to a space provided for them by the Ebonyi State Government at Rehabilitation Centre, Remand Home, Ugwuachara, Abakaliki.
Addressing some members of JONAPWD at their new Secretariat, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, reiterated Ebonyi State government’s commitment to assisting them towards leaving a better life.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ezego Lawrence thanked them for responding to government’s directive.
According to him, the Ministry has compiled their names for onward enrolment by the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) to enable them access health care services in any general hospital or health centre nearest to them.
Hear the Commissioner, “I thank those of you Who have responded to the will of government. Government has demanded they are relocated from the former Secretariat to this place, and today you are here”, he said.
He assured them of comfort and happiness , noting they were not chased from their former Secretariat, but to enable the Ebonyi State government to establish the South-East blood bank.
“We want to assure you that we shall do everything possible to make sure that you are comfortable.
“We want to assure you again that from time to time, we shall be coming to visit you. The government is not chasing you away unnecessarily. The government has the intention of the state at heart.
“The Presco junction Secretariat has been designed to be a federal blood bank centre for the regional(South-East) area, and His Excellency has graciously approved money for this projects”, he explained.
He further recalled the earlier resistance by JONAPWD members to relocate to their new Secretariat, assuring them that they will be provided with the All they need.
“For sometimes now some people have been resisting to move from that place to this place as directed by their parent ministry, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, that they should come to this place.
“It is not that we are pushing you away. All of you are our brothers. And we want to assure you that we are going to take good care of you, we are going to provide for you and we are going to make sure you are comfortable to an extent.
“Today, we are going to enrol you in EBSHIA. As from now on, we will make sure that your health is taking care of. So, when we leave here, we will get your names and you will take your cards so that if you enter any hospital in Ebonyi State, be it a general hospital, be it a health centre, you will be attended to free.
“We will now liaise with the ministry of Women Affairs, your parent ministry to ensure that all your entitlements are given to you.
“The government of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi State is health friendly. He does not discriminate. He knows that you are existing.
“He knows that there was a time you adopted him for second tenure. He is not a wicked man. He is a man of the people. He is a man that has the welfare of the people at heart, and you are Ebonyians and you are his people”, Ekuma told JONAPWD members.
Speak on behalf of the Members of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Ikenna Kingsley Nweze, who expressed appreciation to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for standing behind them, expressed the hope that the governor will fulfil his promise to them.
“I am so much glad to welcome this honor and privilege. Our governor is not leaving us behind. He is a good man. He has been taking care of us. Although getting to this place was a thug of war. But I thank God that a day like this finally come to reality. I strongly believe that as he has promised , he will do it because his promises are always sacrosant, he never failed his promises.
He urged the physically challenged persons in Ebonyi State to join in the process of developing the state.
“I am also urging all Ebonyians who are physically challenged to come and join this crusade for our dreams to be actualized.
“I am also thanking the Hon. Commissioner for championing our cause and I want to tell him that we are not violent; we are law abiding citizens and will always support the leadership of our governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru”, Comrade Ikenna Kingsley Nweze said.
