The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has charged government at all levels to come up with pro-people policies and programme which would reduce the current economic hardships and make life more abundance for the citizenry .
Specifically the Bishops decried the astronomic increases in the school and tuition fees across institutions stressing that it had made it difficult for the children of the poor to continue their education.
The CBCN, in a communique at the end of the second plenary meeting held in Abuja also described the palliative measures as a treatment of the symptom rather than the cure of the disease.
The communique with the theme: Religion, Civic Responsibility And the Building Of A Better Nigeria said that the nation was in serious deficit of moral rectitude.
The statement signed by its President, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji and Secretary, Bishop Donatus Ogun,was made available to journalists by Bishop Felix Ajakaye, Bishop of Ekiti Diocese.
The Clergies posited that this was reflected in the increasing corruption , cyber crimes and all forms of criminality
“We considered the resort to palliative measures as a treatment of the symptom rather than the cure of the disease”.
“We called on governments at all levels to provide the enabling environment for the creation of more jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in Nigeria. Government should put in place measures that will curb the persistence theft of oil and other minerals.
“We enjoin the government to radically review programmes aimed at alleviating the suffering of the youths. We equally advise the youth not to resort to violence and crime as a substitute for hard work”
“We reject the ever increasing scandalous comfort and remuneration of elected leaders to the detriment of the poor”
“We, therefore demand that the government cut the increasing cost of running government in our country and that the money saved be used to provide essential amenities and services”
The bishops also admonished the Federal Government of Nigeria, to address the fundamental defective structures that deepened inequality and poverty in the country.
The Bishop’s said the failing and worsening economy has continue to make living difficult and hard for the people. Nigerians have been subjected to a life of poverty, hunger, hardship and suffering.
They said that the nation was in serious deficit of moral rectitude.hence called on all cadres of the society to adjust their belts for a good run into a better ,united and stronger Nigeria .
“The conditions has been aggravated by the removal of fuel subsidy which has led to high cost of food items, transportation and meeting up with other essential needs.”
The clergymen called for belief in our country Nigeria, generous and selfless disposition to serve the common cause, enthronement of strong ethical values and a renewed vigour in rebuilding a nation founded on truth, justice, fairness and peace.