From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
For the umpteenth time, leprosy patients at the Eku Leprosy Settlement, Delta State have protested non-payment of their monthly stipend by the state government.
Besides, the protesters who were in Asaba on Monday demanded increase in their monthly stipend, arguing that the N3,500 they receive is o longer enough given the economic reality in the country.
At the Government House gate where they were left unattended to, they told newsmen that the stipend had been steadily reduced from the James Ibori-led administration to the present administration of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa .
According to the vice chairman of ex-lepers, Mr. Nana Daniel, the Ibori administration paid them N9,000 stipend every month.
He said the stipend was reduced to N6,000 by the immediate past administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, while the present administration brought it down it N3,500.
As if the reduction is not enough, Mr. Nana said they were owed four months arrears during the administration of Uduaghan, and right now, even the N3,500 stopped coming in the past two months.
“We are saying that the stipend is not enough for us to take care of our needs, yet they are withhold it. We attend the same market like every other citizen in the state. The N3,500 is grossly inadequate.