Mek: Govt ignores people living with a disability

PEOPLE living with disabilities in Western Highlands province have described the Government as “unfair” and one that pays more attention to able-bodied people.
David Mek, who has impaired vision, claimed the provincial government did not do much for disabled people even though they were equal partners in development.
He said disabled people were seen as the minority and lacked equal respect from others in their communities, as well as the attention of the government.
He believed that even though they had the same needs, Government services were for the able bodied people only and minorities, like the disabled, had no place in society.
Mr Mek said the disabled, just as the able-bodied, had a say in democracy like voting, and called on the Government to look into their needs instead of focusing on programmes which do not sustain them.
He was speaking on behalf of the people living with disabilities at Tomba in the upper Nebilyer district, during the grant agreement signing of the K-1 Association and the AusAID-funded democratic governance transition phase (DGTP) last week.
The association, which has almost 7,000 members, was formed three years ago by people of the Komka tribe and focuses on developing its ward plans through areas such as HIV/AIDS, sports, and law and order, amongst others.
The signing of the agreement marked the release of K32,400 from DGTP to the association which would be used to create and sustain income generating activities for more than 200 disabled people and those living with HIV/AIDS.
Mr Mek thanked DGTP for recognising their need and empowering them to become equal partners in development.