Members of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Imo state chapter, Monday, staged a protest and blocked the main gate of Imo Government House, Owerri over their unresolved grievances.
Leading them was Christopher Kalu, their Chairman, who said that they were worried because some of their demands had been neglected by the government.
Kalu listed “We want the government to establish a speech school for the blind. We are not happy that the government has paid us our subvention since 2011, Imo state is the only state with no special school for the blind.
“We demand for employment for our graduate members, also payment of bursary allowances for students in secondary and tertiary institutions.”
They were worried that, “The government does not carry us along and that is why we are here to demand for our rights. We also need empowerment for those who are disabled. Let the government empower us to establish ourselves and become self-employed.
“We have compiled the names of our graduates eligible for employment but no response.”
Responding, Mrs. Jetrude Oduka, the Imo state commissioner for Education, pleaded with the protesters to be patient that the government has taken note of the demands and would look into it.
