Monrovia – The moving traffic and residents on Executive Grounds, where the office of the President is located were greeted early Tuesday morning by over twenty five disabled citizens, who went to seek audience with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to enable them present a statement.
Report by: Mae Azango maeazango@frontpageafricaonline.com
“Too many things have prompted we the disable community — we have been abandoned by the President of Liberia. For the past five years, she has not included us in her annual messages,” said Mrs. Naomi B. Harris, President of the National Union of the Organization of Disable.
The disable community stood with placards which had written statements, such as: “Madam President we need to be included in the National Budget.
“We need an advisor in your office — employment is our right. We want to be part of the national cake, Madam President we need your attention, Madam President we too are citizens, Madam President Disability is not inability.”
Madam Harris said they have tried many times to meet the President to present their issues, but have been stopped so many times by people claiming to be closed to the President.
“We have tried so many times to see the President but the people around her do not allow us to see her. We want to meet the President because we have issues that need to be addressed. We too want to be in the budget, we have the right to employment and education as well. And seeing us standing here, I know she will stop because she is a mother,” she said.
When asked about the meaning of the national cake they were referring to, Madam Harris answered:
“The national cake is the country’s resources, the county development fund; food and security.
“So. we have come to remind the President that we too are citizens and we should form part of the nation’s resources. We have the right to be part of the decision making. The President has forgotten about us and she does not care at all about the disable people anymore.”
Commenting on the disable population, Madam Harris said the disable community makes up 16% of the population but added that Ebola survivors who lost their sight and limbs have now added to the number.
“Many of these disable people live in the Gardnersville belt, and to get vehicle to get to town, is so difficult because many times taxis do not want to stop for us, because of our condition, and it is not supposed to be that way, because we too are citizens and form part of the Liberian population. We are peaceful and law abiding citizens, so we just want to tell madam President we are here to see her, so she should please find time to see us.”
Madam Harris said up to late Tuesday evening President Sirleaf had not called the Disable Community, nor sent anyone to talk to them.
She said an SSS officer told her to form a delegation and return Wednesday to see the President, because she was busy on Tuesday.