𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀

The House Committee on Claims and Petition, chaired by Hon. Prince A. Toles, has received a formal petition from a group of aggrieved visually impaired citizens seeking redress over alleged issues of poor leadership and mismanagement at the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD). The petitioners presented their concerns to Hon. Toles and his Co-Chair, Hon. Obediah Varney, at the Capitol Building Thursday. 

The lawmakers, after receiving the petition, assured the group that the matter would be formally presented before the House Plenary on Tuesday for prompt consideration and appropriate legislative action. In their petition, the group accused Mr. Samuel S. Dean, Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities, and his Deputy for Administration, of failing to manage the institution in accordance with the government’s ARREST (Rescue) Agenda, citing alleged misuse of funds intended to empower persons with disabilities. 

The petitioners further clarified that their protest was not directed against the government of President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., nor was it politically motivated. Rather, it was aimed at drawing attention to the leadership challenges within the NCD. They expressed regret over the use of inappropriate language by a few individuals during the protest and called on the security apparatus to understand that persons with disabilities are not enemies of the state, but citizens seeking fairness and inclusion. The group’s petition also included specific allegations, including the misuse of US$200,000 reportedly allocated for the empowerment of people with disabilities. 

According to their statement, only US$25,000 was disbursed to 100 beneficiaries (at US$250 each), while the remainder was allegedly used for unauthorized purposes. The petitioners have therefore called on the President of the Republic of Liberia to consider replacing the current NCD leadership with individuals who demonstrate competence, transparency, and accountability in managing the affairs of the disability community.

 The House Committee on Claims and Petition has assured the petitioners of a fair and transparent review process, reaffirming the Legislature’s commitment to addressing the concerns of all Liberians, including persons with disabilities.