Anglican Church opposes governors’ demand for removal of fuel subsidy

By Tony Edike (Vanguard)
THE Enugu Diocese of the Anglican Communion has condemned the call by state governors for the removal of fuel subsidy as a condition for implementing the new minimum wage of N18,000 approved for Nigerian civil servants saying that doing so would render the new pay useless.
Rising from the 14th Synod of the Enugu Diocese of the church held at St Luke’s Church Ogui, the church leaders rather advocated the reduction of cost of governance to enable the government at all levels pay the new wage, explaining
that cost of running the democratic regime had continued to increase by the day.
In a three page communiqué signed by the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Venerable Augustine Orah ,Synod Secretary and Justice Pearl Enejere, the Church also condemned the proliferation of hotels in Enugu, urging
the state government and politicians to engage in productive venture as well as embark on construction of residential buildings to reduce the soaring cost of accommodation in the state.
The church condemned incessant bombings and killings in parts of the country and urged   governments at all levels to find ways of protecting the citizens.
On the plan by the Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi to establish Islamic banking in Nigeria, the synod condemned it outright and called on the apex bank’s boss to immediately withdraw the license already granted for the
establishment of one of the banks.
According to the Synod, the country being a pluralistic and secular nation was not ripe for such a banking system, even as it counseled the National Assembly to reject any authorization to the said banking practice.
The Synod which also sympathized with victims of the post elections violence in the North especially members of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, however, advised the federal government to restructure the scheme in such a way
that members participating in it are made to serve in their various geopolitical zones for now.
Decrying the state of prisoners in the country, it called on governments to begin the process of expanding the prisons as well as facilitating the restructuring of facilities to enable the prisons play the intended reformatory
role.
The Synod lamented the recklessness of commercial drivers, which has continued to claim lives of thousands of people, especially the youths.
Calling on the State and National Assemblies to legislate on conditions of employment and remuneration of drivers of public transport services, the synod also recommended that road transporters should be made to pay insurance
compensations to accident victims.
The church, however, implores the Federal Road Safety Commission to rise to their official duties by ensuring strict compliance and adherence to driving regulations in order to check reckless driving caused by alcoholism, under-aged drivers and over speeding.