Catholic bishops call on government to be more open and responsive to Nigerians

The call is contained in a communiqué issued on Friday in Abuja by CBCN’s president, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, at the end of the second plenary meeting of the conference held in Umuahia. The communiqué said that informing the people would be the appropriate response to their right to good stewardship, transparency and accountability, while […]

The call is contained in a communiqué issued on Friday in Abuja by CBCN’s president, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, at the end of the second plenary meeting of the conference held in Umuahia.

The communiqué said that informing the people would be the appropriate response to their right to good stewardship, transparency and accountability, while stressing the importance of good governance.

“Nigeria cannot become a safe, secure and united nation without good governance.

“Good governance entails active and critical participation of the citizenry in the formulation of policies and in their implementation.” the Catholic bishops said.

The conference called on the federal and state governments to consult the people in the acquisition of foreign and domestic loans, adding that regular consultations would create a sense of belonging in them.

They noted that regular consultations would also increase the popularity of government programmes and policies.

The bishops challenged the leadership of the country to address the problem of corruption with greater courage, forthrightness and political will.

“We, therefore, strongly appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration to enforce due process and the rule of law in public administration in order to check corruption.’’

The bishops urged the Federal Government to urgently implement the recommendations of the various committees on fuel subsidy regime as a mark of its seriousness in Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.

The conference also called on governments at all levels and security agencies to wake up to their duty to protect and defend the lives and the dignity of Nigerians.

“Government should be more vigilant, especially at the borders in checkmating any foreign sponsors of terrorist activities in Nigeria.”

The conference commended Muslim and Christian leaders who were against the ongoing violence in the country.

It also commended politicians and all Nigerians of goodwill who had been working earnestly for a better, safer and more united Nigeria.

The conference called on all Catholic educational institutions to continue to draw from the Catholic policy on education to consistently improve the quality of their educational services.

It called on the Catholic faithful and other people of good will to provide the necessary resources to sustain the university and move it from its temporary site at Obehie to its permanent site in Abuja.

The bishops also encouraged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for peace and unity and economic transformation.  (NAN)