The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has charged the federal government of urgently address the level of food prices in the country which has resulted in a serious food insecurity in the nation.
The charge was given through a communiqué issued in Edo state at the end their conference held in Auchi Diocese. The conference was held between August 22 and 30; they mentioned that government has not been able to show a willingness to reduce the cost of governance in the country.
The communique mentioned that the government in the past has always called for patience and sacrifice among the people, with the citizens always suffering and hungry in the country and more people going into poverty. The bishops claimed that the government officials were living in abundance without any form of reduction in the cost of goverence.
The communique signed by Lucius Iwejuru, the CBN president, noted that the citizens have agreed that the level of corruption in the country has reached a point beyond remedy.
Speaking on the violence during the protest in the country, the bishops noted that the killing and arrest of some citizens were condemnable; they affirmed the rights of citizens to protest against the wrong policies of the country when they want to do so.
The Catholic bishops noted that the growing corruption, poverty, and hardship, which has affected the people, will continue to call for a peaceful protest, which is the only way the citizens can communicate their problems.
The bishops advised the government and all authorities to address the issues that brought forth the protest and release all the protesters who were arrested and detained by the security agencies for carrying out an act that is allowed by the constitution of the country.
They noted that high electricity tariffs, the high cost of petroleum products, transportation, and Medicare, and a general lack of basic infrastructure are some of the reasons that have contributed to the high poverty in the country. They noted that the situation has been made worse because of the rate of flooding in the country and food insecurity, which has caused a high level of malnutrition.
They recognised efforts of the government to address some of the issues through some policies like a declaration of a state of emergency on food insecurity, the importation of food, the cash transfer scheme, and the distribution of palliatives to the most vulnerable but noted that the price of food items have continued to increase amidst the interventions by government,
The statement concluded by calling on the government to prioritise the safety of farmers, which will be one factor that will address the issue of food insecurity with a good action plan to be implemented in the country.
