Albinos Decry Budget Cut

-Plead With Legislature for Increment 

By Jackson C. Clay, Jr.

The Liberia Albino Society (LAS) has decried over the alleged reduction of budgetary support by the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).

Making the disclosure Wednesday on the grounds of the Capitol Building in Monrovia when the group presented a seven-count petition to the legislature, the Liberia Albino Society (LAS) head, Patricia Logan claimed that their budget was sliced into half by the government on grounds that the government is broke.

“Our budget was cut from one hundred, fifty thousand United States dollars (US$150,000) to seventy-five thousand United States dollars (US$ 75,000) and our budget was never increased by the Ministry of Finance but the legislature,” Logan said.

Logan stated that this amount is very small to cater to the many programs and activities the society is currently undertaken for persons living with albinism in the country.

She wants the legislature to consider adding the amount which according to her was cut back to the society’s budget so as to enable them properly address the needs of persons living with albinism in the country.

At the same time, the Liberia Albinos Society has submitted a seven-count petition to the legislature for timely consideration.

Reading the petition on behalf of the group, Clarence Clay, Chief Administrator of the LAS said persons living with albinism continue to face barriers to their participation as equal members of society and the abuse of their human rights.

According to the petition, the group wants the President and the general public recognize the observance of the International Albinism day (IAAD) celebration which comes every year June 13 as a working holiday in the country.

“There shall be a fine or penalty against any individual or group of individuals that engage in any form of neglect, rejection, discrimination and abandonment to persons with albinism,” their petition stated.

They further stated that the President and heads of government Ministries and agencies should see the need to employ qualified persons with albinism in the country.

They are also calling on the government through the Ministry of Education to provide provision for persons with albinism at various government and private institutions in the country.

Meanwhile, accepting their petition, Nimba County district seven Representative, Roger Domah promised to deliver their petition to full plenary of the House of Representatives for onward action.