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.

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.” (The Guardian)