Okorocha sneaks out through back gate as deaf, dumb block Govt House

Aggrieved members of the National Association of Deaf and Dumb, Imo state branch, Monday held the state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, to hostage by blocking the main entrance of the Government House, Owerri, preventing both visitors and government officials from going into and coming out of the seat of government.

Security men, including Police and Civil Defence officials posted at the main gate, were helpless watching the protesters with keen interest as they (deaf and dumb) were busy interacting among themselves.

The action of the protesters forced Governor Okorocha to sneak out of the Government House through the Orlu road back gate as no staff of the Government House was allowed to pass through the main gate.

Disturbed by the nonchalant attitude of the officials of Imo state government of not attending to them, the aggrieved deaf and dumb who came with their wives and wards from the 27 local government area of the state, took to the streets at about 6pm demanding tolls from unsuspecting private car owners and commercials drivers as well and tricycle commercial riders to enable them to get back to their various destinations.

It was gathered that car owners, truck owners were forced to pay N1000 each while keke (tricycle) riders parted with N500 resulting to vehicular movement at both Okigwe Road roundabout and Wthedral Road.

Daily Times reports that the protesters slept at the entrance of the Government House, Owerri, before they were dispersed by the police at about 6am on Tuesday with some cans of canisters.

Members of the National Association of Deaf and Dumb were demanding the relocation of their school along Wetheral Road to a more conducive place, and the release of their 12 years subvention of N12 million held by state government.

Other demands included allocation of plots of land for erecting their secretariat, equipping of their school with modern equipment, donation of buses to the association to enable them attend their conferences and restoration of the office of the Special Assistant to the Government for people with dis-ability among others.

When our correspondent visited Government House, Owerri on Tuesday morning, workers were busy clearing the faeces deposited by the protesters.