Car scheme delay irks disabled

Each person who applied between 2007 and 2014 would get SR150,000 to buy a car. (SPA)

Each person who applied between 2007 and 2014 would get SR150,000 to buy a car. (SPA)


People with disabilities here are angry over delays in the SR1.5 billion scheme that would provide them with specially modified cars.

They say Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah allocated the money for the cars, but the Ministry of Social Affairs has not yet given them working vehicles. A total of 12,000 disabled people await these cars.

They said only 2,000 vehicles were provided previously, but most of these cars lacked the specifications to accommodate drivers with disabilities, had numerous defects, and remain parked at ministry offices.

“Who benefits from delaying a project of this scope and of this large financial value?” one person asked.

He said the ministry officials are increasingly indifferent. There are people who urgently need these vehicles so that they can have a proper means of transport.

“We are suffering tremendously on many levels. The delay in providing transportation means that we cannot go to hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and other locations.”

Khaled Althabayta, spokesman of the social affairs ministry, said: “The ministry has not been stalling, but has delivered cars in two and three batches previously. We will soon deliver two more batches over the next few weeks.” He said distribution would be based on the severity of the person’s disability.

He said some cars distributed previously were withdrawn because they did not meet specifications.


[wpResize]



    Food safety drive ahead of Ramadan
    Gold Prices Drop to 16-Week Low
    %d bloggers like this:
    Powered by : © 2014 Systron Micronix :: Leaders in Web Hosting. All rights reserved

    | About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclaimer | Contact Us |