Gridlock As Disabled Persons Shut Down NDDC In PH

There was gridlock at the GRA junction of Aba road Port Harcourt, following a massive protest by persons with disabilities across the Niger Delta, who besieged the corporate office of the Niger Delta Development commission (NDDC) over neglect.
The Tide learnt that the protesters numbering about 1,000 from the nine states of the Niger Delta were protesting the non-inclusion of persons with disabilities in the activities of the commission.
The President Niger Delta Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. David ThankGod Enogho, said that the protest was to register their grievances over the continous neglect of persons with disabilities in the affairs of the commission.
Mr. Enogho who said that over the years, persons with disabilities have not felt the impact of the Commission, noted that several attempts were made by the leadership of the Coalition to get the attention of the commission, but to no avail.
“That was why we embarked on this protest. Our plea includes; provision of scholarship both local and overseas, provision of employment opportunities and other empowerment schemes”, he said.
Other demands according to him, include, the provision of mobility and Assistive devices, provision of disability desk at the Commission while National Centres be built across the Niger Delta.
He said that the Coalition is also requesting for a free medical scheme for its members from the commission among other demands.
Addressing the protesters later on, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Sir Bassey Dan Abia promised that the Commission would  look into the grievances of the association.
Sir Abia said that a meeting will be called within the next two weeks to interact with them, stressing that the management will not rest until their demands were met.