PWDs in Ekiti protest alleged employment slot discount regardless of governor's promise

Persons with Disabilities, PWDs in Ekiti State on Monday stormed the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, protesting a drastic reduce in employment slots promised to them by the state authorities.

The protesters, comprising members of various clusters of PWDs, stated Governor Biodun Oyebanji had earlier promised them 30 employment slots as a part of his inclusion agenda, however the workplaces saddled with the implementation allegedly decreased the quantity to 12.

Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of the Nigeria Association of the Blind in Ekiti State, Ariyo Tope, stated such motion was unjust and a betrayal of the governor’s promise to go away nobody behind.

He acknowledged the generosity and the promise-keeping spirit of Governor Biodun Oyebanji however accused the ministries and workplaces accountable for the implementation of short-changing them of the democratic dividends.

He appealed to Governor Oyebanji to intervene immediately and name the ministry to order, insisting that 12 slots have been grossly insufficient to cater for hundreds of certified PWDs throughout the state.

His phrases: “We are not fighting the government; we are not fighting the governor, but it’s unfair that the governor promised 30 slots and those implementing it reduced it to 12 slots.

“We know our governor as Mr Talk and Do; why would they be giving out slots to other people who are not part of us?

“They told us to go to school and get more certificates. Some of us graduated 15 years, 10 years, 5 years ago, respectively, and still, no job to show for it.

“We are suffering. Even the 30 slots are not enough, but we are calling on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to come to our aid so that we can get our 30 slots back”.

Also talking, Adebisi Oluwasinaayo demanded the record comprising the names of beneficiaries of the slots, including that they’ve the best to benefit from the dividends of democracy.