FCSC Chair harps on physically challenged employment policy

ABUJA (FCSC Report) – The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Joan Ayo has said that the commission has a policy for employment of the physically challenged. she stated this recently in her office while playing host to the visiting country representative of the German Leprosy and TB Relief Association, Life Velten.

Joan Ayo revealed that many categories of physically challenged had benefited from the policy. She further indicated on the employment of rehabilitated leprosy patients that if the rehabilitated patients are physically and medically fit, even though they may have been physically challenged by way of loss of limbs and are no longer patients being prima-facie qualified, they would be considered whenever vacancies are available.

The FCSC Chairman directed relevant departments to liaise with Life Velten with a view to granting her request whenever the need arises.

The visiting German Leprosy and TB Relief Association Country Representative, Life Velten remarked earlier that her visit was to sensitize the commission on the activities of her association which according to her had been in the country for the past 50 years.

She further noted that the association based in Enugu is currently working in 14 States of the Southern part of the country. Life Velten demanded the FCSC Chairman to consider for employment rehabilitated Leprosy Patients as they do not presently have equal opportunity for employment due to stigma. She pointed out that once the patients commence treatment, they no longer pose any threat of infecting people and therefore should not be stigmatized.

The Commissioners representing Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi; Taraba and Adamawa; Oyo and Osun States as well as the Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics and Recruitment Departments were present during the visit.