JEDDAH — The Ministry of Social Affairs has signed a SR132 million contract with Al-Jomiah Company to import 3000 cars specially manufactured for people with special needs.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Yusuf, an official at the Ministry of Social Affairs, announced the details of the transportation scheme for the physically-challenged. 

Abdul Rahman Al-Matq, director of the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center for Disabled in Buradiah, warned citizens to watch out for fraudsters who are collecting money from physically challenged people for these special vehicles. He stressed that the ministry will take severe action against anyone found guilty of peddling the lie that the these cars are not free of charge.

The ministry will be providing the vehicles free to people who meet the following criteria: applicants must suffer from mental retardation or severe deformity, belong to a family with limited means, live in a remote village, and must have completed six years on the waiting list. 

A total of 37 centers have been set up across the Kingdom to process the applications. Successful applicants will also be subjected to a medical examination at their residence by doctors before a decision to award a vehicle is confirmed by the ministry. — SG