BY CHIDI NKWOPARA
OWERRI—Residents of Owerri, Imo State capital, have been held hostage for the second day running by physically challenged persons protesting alleged insensitivity of the state government to their welfare.

However, commuters have appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis of confidence between him and the physically challenged persons in the state.

The call followed on-going protest by physically challenged persons, which commenced since Wednesday morning and has continued to effectively disrupt vehicular traffic in Owerri municipality.
The current peaceful protest, which is the third in the series in less than two months, took off from the entrance gate of Imo State Government House, Owerri.

The physically challenged citizens, numbering about 500, had besieged the gate with placards, most of which contained uncomplimentary words against the state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

The appeal by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Sir Jude Ejiogu, for the aggrieved citizens to discontinue the protest was completely ignored as they insisted on having audience with Okorocha.

Apparently angered by the unwillingness of the governor to come out and address them, the group quickly mobilised and used both vehicles and wheel chairs to barricade the ever busy Library Roundabout, connecting Government House, Wetheral Road, Okigwe Road and Bank Road.

The special citizens are accusing the governor of insensitivity to their plight, citing the non-recognition of December 3 of every year by the state government as a day for the physically challenged persons declared by the United Nations, one of such evidences.

One of the aggrieved citizens, Mr. Henry Amamchukwu, told journalists that unemployment and non-release of subventions were also part of their grievances.