Abia State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, has said the government has demonstrated inclusivity of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in its policies and programmes.
Mrs Felix stated this yesterday during the celebration of the state’s 2025 Disability Day organised by the Commission for the Welfare of the Disabled Persons in Umuahia, the state capital.
“The government has demonstrated this by setting up the commission, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection and the appointment and empowerment of persons with disabilities,” she said.
Her counterpart in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Moreen Ahukwa commended the government for prioritising the challenges of persons with disabilities in the state without discrimination.
Earlier in an address, the chairman of the commission, David Anyaele said the occasion was being commemorated to share the plight of people with disabilities and also to look beyond challenges.
“We celebrate our success stories, the milestones we have achieved and to celebrate the opportunity of having a governor that cares for the welfares of people with disabilities.
“Opportunities such as this create the platform for us to look at the efforts we have made in order to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in our state,” he said.
He disclosed that there are more than 40,000 persons with disabilities in the state, noting that the occasion was also a platform for them to understand their challenges and how to approach them.
“It is important that as we celebrate, we look at to what extent we can go in order to close the gaps and barriers that hinder us from being what we want to be,” he added.
The occasion witnessed a panel of discussion by Felix, Ahukwa, and their counterpart in the Health Ministry, Enoch Uche, represented by a senior staff member, Francis Agu.
Themed, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons With Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” the occasion kicked-off with a road walk by the PWDs along major streets in the capital.
Meanwhile, Abia State governor, Alex Otti has said regular power supply remain central to his administration’s drive for the industrialisation and development of the state.
Otti stated this yesterday while handing over 11 out of 53 electric transformers the administration acquired for distribution to the communities in Umuahia, the state capital.
Represented by the commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, he assured that the administration was committed to promoting regular power supply in the state.
“This is to boost electricity supply to the communities and also part of the administration’s gesture that would help us to achieve that goal,” the governor stated.
Otti, who explained that the event was the first batch of the exercise, maintained that provision of the transformers is part of the administration’s social contract with the people of the state.
“This is tax payers’ money that is put to work. So, you should endeavour to ensure that you handle them with care, protect them, and provide enough security for them.”
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Eze Innocent Ezeala of Ibe Uzo Amawom – Oboro Community, Ikwuano local government area, thanked the governor for the gesture.
The monarch described the gesture as a welcome development and a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the transformation of the state.
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