People Living with Disabilities Urged to Make Use of Available Opportunities
Commerce and Industry Minister, Amin Modad is challenging Liberians living with disabilities not to allow their conditions discourage them from making use of capacity building opportunities availing themselves across Liberia. Minister Modad said being physically challenged does not mean an individual has no important role to play in society.
He observed that one of the first steps the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is considering is to register members of the group free of charge. Minister Modad made the statement Wednesday at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, when beneficiaries of the UNDP-sponsored Livelihood Empowerment Program, being implemented by the Commerce Ministry paid a courtesy call on him.
Under the program, some of the beneficiaries are getting US$500.00 (Five Hundred), while others are getting US$1000.00(One Thousand) as part of empowerment programs. He admonished them to ensure proper management of the funding for their own betterment.
“We have 1.4 million with LBDI, we have similar program, about 6 million for Small and Medium Enterprises, whether disable or physically challenged, we have already given you the opportunity to prove yourself,” Minister Modad added.
He said President Joseph Nyuma Boakai remains keen about supporting Liberians from all walks of life, adding that such concept is the disposition of the Unity Party-led Government. The current Senior Management Team at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in the words of Minister Modad does not believe in looking at people on the basis of tribe, religion or any form of physical impediments.
Instead, he told the group that those who are physically challenged are capable of performing the same roles their counterparts are playing in society, if they are given the needed space.
For his part, the Vice President for Administration of the National Union of the Disable lauded the Commerce Ministry and partners for the initiative and assured them of making appropriate use of capacity building opportunities being provided by the Liberian government and its partners.
