No fewer than over 300 deaf and dumb citizens in Imo state have staged a protest against the alleged discriminatory policies of Governor Rochas Okorocha in the state.
The protesters stalled activities in Government House, Owerri, as they barred people from entering or leaving the premises for hours.
The aggrieved persons, who were acting on the platform of Association of the Deaf and Dumb (ADD), tried to force themselves into the premises but were resisted by the security personnel posted to the beat.
Speaking through a Catholic Nun to journalists, chairman of the group, Mr. Edwards Uzoma, lamented that the present administration in the state has failed to release their subventions, totalling N12 million.
They accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of having marginalised them in all his programmes, including employment and empowerment schemes.
Uzoma recalled that of the 305 youths Okorocha claimed to have made millionaires, not a single person was picked from their group and wondered if they were not Imo citizens.
“Government is yet to approve our proposal to host the sixth edition of football championship for the deaf in 2018, in Imo,” Uzoma said.
They also demanded allocation of land to build their secretariat, reopening of Office of Special Adviser to the Governor on Deaf and Dumb Matters, among others.
