In its efforts to cater and manage the affairs of People With Disabilities, (PWDs), in the state, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has said he will create a ministry come 2018 for the physically challenged as well as establishment of skill acquisition centres.
Mr. Okowa who made the disclosure Thursday in Asaba at a Luncheon organized in honour of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) by the Delta State Government, stated that with the level of progress, organisation and discipline made by PWDs in the state, the ministry would help handle all issues related to them and liaise with MDAs and other stakeholders on entrepreneurial and skill acquisition for PWDs.
“I am happy that I took the decision to talk and dine with PWDs; I find joy that I made the right decision, and I am pleased with the level of progress you have made as a community, you have grown into an organised community, a lot can be achieved through dialogue, as violence does not pay.
“A Directorate is what you seek, this will be pronounce through an executive order in January, 2018; we will all work together through the Directorate to see what we can get for your people from other MDAs.”.
The governor while charging the members of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWDs) to always aspire for success in life stressed that “disability does not take life away from you, you can be a success story, start little, work harder and you can become entrepreneurs and employ others”.
Okowa however assured the PWDs that he would work with the state House Of Assembly on the passage of the Bill on the rights of PWDs, stated that a special school for the PWDs to acquire entrepreneurial and technical skills would be established in the state.
Speaking separately earlier, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, Mr. Samuel Ankeli and Chairman, JONAPWDs, Delta State Chapter, Mr. Isaac Obruche, commended Governor Okowa for his support for PWDs and charged PWDs to get education, make themselves relevant to their society.
On her part, the state Commissioner For Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Omatsola Williams, said that the luncheon was the first of its kind in the state, even as she enjoined PWDs in the state to be discipline and work with government to improve their lives and make them successful.
