The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has taken a bold stance, calling on President Bola Tinubu’s government to provide a transparent account of the savings derived from the removal of fuel subsidies within the first nine months of his administration, as reported by Sahara Reporters.
The clerics expressed their concerns during the opening session of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, condemning the perceived lack of progress and accountability.
Led by the president of CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, the bishops questioned the absence of operational refineries despite significant expenditures on turnaround maintenance.
They argued that this lack of progress has forced the nation to continue relying heavily on fuel imports, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
The bishops characterized the government’s attempts to address pressing issues as “counterproductive” and a “therapy worse than the disease.”
Archbishop Ugorji articulated the sentiments of the Catholic Bishops, stating, “In withdrawing the fuel subsidy, the government assured Nigerians it would save a lot of money to be injected into other national development sectors.”
However, the bishops noted with concern the absence of concrete evidence demonstrating the actual savings and their utilization for national development.
Instead, Archbishop Ugorji pointed out the government’s accumulation of foreign debt to address budgetary deficits, a move he described as mortgaging the future of the nation and generations yet unborn.
“Rather than give evidence of money so far saved from the withdrawal of subsidies for which Nigerians are being afflicted with untold hardship, all we hear is the government’s accumulation of more and more foreign debt to balance its budgetary deficit, thereby mortgaging the future of our nation and generations yet unborn,” he added.
The Archbishop’s remarks highlighted the skepticism among many Nigerians regarding the promised benefits of removing fuel subsidies, leading to the conclusion that extensive talks on the matter might be mere “fairy tales.”
The CBCN’s call for accountability resonates with the broader public, urging the government to fulfill its commitment to transparency and responsible financial management.
Archbishop Ugorji drew attention to the long-standing issue of Nigeria’s four refineries – two in Port Harcourt, one in Warri, and one in Kaduna – remaining non-operational despite repeated and costly turnaround maintenance efforts.
The bishops questioned how these refineries could stay dormant for years, especially considering the substantial financial resources allocated for their revival.
He stated,
“Nigeria owns four refineries, two in Port Harcourt, one in Warri and one in Kaduna.
“How can we explain that these four refineries have remained moribund for years, despite turn-around-maintenance efforts, which have continued to gulp huge sums of money?”
The CBCN also shed light on the grim realities faced by Nigerians, emphasizing the nation’s security challenges and economic turmoil despite substantial allocations for security votes.
Archbishop Ugorji expressed dismay over the prevailing insecurity, citing instances of kidnappings for ransom, senseless killings, and the rise of banditry, which have left communities across Nigeria in a state of fear and paralysis.
The Archbishop painted a grim picture of the situation, stating, “If we cast a cursory glance at the present state of our nation, we are inclined to conclude that this seems to be the worst of times for our country in the areas of security and the economy.”