The Joint National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Awgu local government branch, Enugu State, has appealed to government at all levels to improve on their level of assistance to them.
The branch chairman, Ifemelumma Chukwujike made the appeal during an event to mark World Day for persons living with disabilities held, weekend, in Awgu.
He said that government decisions were affecting their members negatively, as it was no longer easy for them to participate in programmes organised by the government, “because many of us cannot obtain National Identity Card.”
“For instance the Joint Admission and matriculation Board (JAMB) has made national identity card compulsory for any candidate seeking to register for its exam, banks have also hinged transactions on national identity card and the relocation of the office national identity office from Awgu has made it difficult for our members to obtain this important document.”
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He said that Awgu local government used to have a centre when the programme, and it was easy for them then, but that the office lasted for only two years and it was closed down and relocated to Enugu town, a decision that added to the sufferings of their members who now must go to Enugu, which is not easy.
“As it is now, all the persons living with disabilities in Awgu local government area, who had not gotten the national identity card for the two years the office was in Awgu are denied of all the programes and empowerment coming from both the federal and state government,” he lamented.
The group also appealed to the chairman of Awgu local government and good spirited individuals from the area to kindly assist them with hearing aids, wheel chairs, among other needs.
