The Christian Association of Nigeria has expressed concern over the challenging economic conditions in the country after President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the organisation in the 19 Northern states and the FCT, on Friday, declared that Nigerians are suffering due to the subsidy removal.
The body noted that life in the country “is becoming a living hell as prices of food, transportation and other essential commodities have gone up beyond the reach of the poor masses.”
The Northern CAN has, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu and governors of the 36 states of the federation to live up to the expectations of Nigerians by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedevilling the country were addressed.
The 11-point-communique at the end of the three-day quarterly meeting presided over by the Chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, partly read, “That the President and governors must run an all-inclusive government and ensure that development projects are distributed fairly to give every section of the country or state a sense of belonging.
“The meeting called on President Bola Tinubu to do everything humanly possible to address the issue of food crisis in the land.
“The free fall of the Naira to Dollar and other foreign currency is a threat that the government must address for the good of our economy.
“The meeting also commended the government for taking steps to cushion the effect of the removal of Petrol subsidy by way of providing palliative.
“However, it is our considered opinion that the provision of such palliatives is not a lasting solution to the hardship being faced by the masses.”
“There is mass poverty and hunger in the land, many Nigerians are barely struggling to make ends meet.
“Many businesses have collapsed as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country. Unemployment has pushed many young people into crime.
“The meeting called by President Bola Tinubu and governors of the 36 states of the federation to live up to the expectations of Nigerians, by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedevilling the country are addressed,” the association said.
Recall that in his inaugural address on May, 29, President Tinubu declared an end to the era of subsidy payment, stating that the 2023 budget did not provide for fuel subsidy, as such make further payment unjustifiable.
The communique also called on Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the unity and stability of the country regardless of the mass poverty and hunger in the land.
It also warned the Economic Community of West African States against the use of force in resolving the political impasse in the Republic of Niger, following a coup-de-tat.
On the security situation in the country, CAN commended the security agencies for fighting insurgency and banditry.
It noted, however, that it was not yet over as bandits continued to terrorise communities, especially in the north where “these criminals attack communities, killing and abducting people” on a daily basis.
“We call on the federal government not to relent in empowering and supporting security agencies to crush the criminals,” it added.
