Stage Peaceful Demonstration At The Justice Ministry, Saying Everyone Can’t Get CCTV As Pres. Weah Once Told Liberians
PHOTO: A cross-section of the visually impaired students and their teachers
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The patience of visually impaired children and adults had run out, so they could not hold back their feelings, thus pouring out into the streets in large number by assembling in from of the Liberian Justice Ministry in Monrovia to peacefully protest.
Over 150 visually impaired people from the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) have staged a peaceful demonstration at the compound of the Ministry of Justice, demanding security protection against constant criminal raids on the CAB Resource Learning Center located in the R Two Community in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
Recent criminal raids at the CAB Resource Learning Center have increased with thieves making away with computers, huge sum of money for the save, land deed, food stuffs, live stocks and generator.
Speaking shortly before presentation of the statements recently, the Secretary General of the Christian Association of the Blind, Elijah Menyon said that visually impaired people cannot afford to purchase CCTV as recommended by President George Weah for their protection.
“Most of all, we live without care and for the blind community, which continue to rely on the good will of men and women, lack of jobs and other opportunities as well relegated to lowest ebb of the Liberian society,” said Mr. Menyon.
“It is evident that to purchase of such surveillance camera or CCTV is far beyond their reach due to the financial difficulties,” the spokesman for the visually impaired protesters added.
According to him, they are not employed, talk less to afford the possibility of securing the services of the private security firm, employ security or provide security for themselves.
Asst Min. Eddie Tarawali shakes hand with Beyan Kota as Elijah Menyon looks on
“We have not come to protest for any political reason but to respectfully request our government to provide security for least in the Liberian society,” he said: “more than five since the inception of this government, it is sadden to note that the issue of the less fortunate people in Liberia has been abandoned and neglected by the government that claim to be representing the people.”
“ We have assembled at the Ministry of Justice not in confrontation but with sincere believe that only a little bit of care and responsibility from the government is required to keep the future of the blind going.”
“We believe that people who are blind should be considered equal citizens but this is not case because those of us who are blind are always disadvantaged, relegated and marginalized.”
Mr. Menyon appealed to the Ministry of Justice do all it can to provide security for them or else the criminals will loot the entire facilities from the center.
He maintained that the challenges facing people living with disabilities still remain an issue of dilemma to be dealt with.
“It will be unfair to the lives of blind people, for a government, which claims to be representing people, to ignore the safety of the poorest of the poor and only prove protection for those who are officials of government.”
Justice Ministry promises intervention
Receiving the position statement, the Assistant Minister for Correction and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Justice, Eddie Tarawali assured them that their petition will be taken to the Justice Minister, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean to quickly intervene.
He expressed regret on the incident on behalf of the minister and the president and assured them the prompt action will be taken to safeguard them.
The Assistant Minister for Correction and Rehabilitation at the Justice Ministry made it unequivocally clear that their request will be speedily addressed their problem.
“We want assure that we can move on the rightful trajectory by keeping the line of communication opened so as to address your problems with urgency, I have received your petition and I know exactly what it means for the blind people to be affected by such a calamity,”
“President George Weah is in line with your community and he continues undertake programs aimed at improving the lives of all Liberians including the people with disabilities.” Assistant Minister Tarawali said.
“But, there are challenges and those challenges can be mutilated ranging from us as government to our various institutions that are tasked with the responsibilities of implementing the various programs on behalf of the president.”
The Assistant Justice Minister expressed optimism that the Ministry of Justice and the leadership of the Christian Association of the Blind will have to convene a meeting in order to find a way in providing security for the center.
“Following the meeting,” he went on, “the Justice Minister, Musa Dean, will sanction the joint security to ensure that security is provided 24/7 at the center.”
The petition, which was led by BAC President, Beyan Kota, was witnessed by the employees and junior staff at the Ministry of Justice.