Former lepers in Delta State have urged the governor-elect, Sheriff Oborevwori, to upgrade their monthly N8, 000 stipend to N30, 000 to cushion effects of the current financial realities.

In a letter addressed to Oborevwori and endorsed by their Chairman, Paul Oke, the lepers said they are going through hardship occasioned by the unfriendly economic atmosphere in the nation.

The ex-lepers, who reside in Eku, Ethiope East Council of the state, commended the out-going governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for his sensitivity towards their sufferings by consistently paying each of them N8, 000 monthly.
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Oke noted that aside the public perception about them, N8, 000 is just a drop in the ocean.

He said: “Nobody wants to get closer to us; we beg to survive although some of us do menial jobs. In a country where the cost of food and services have skyrocketed, one can imagine what N8, 000 can do for a man and his family.”

“That is why we are appealing to the incoming governor to consider us for minimum wage. He should also rehabilitate the lepers’ settlement to give us a sense of belonging. Our members voted for him, and, so, he should not forget us.”
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