The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) is worried at the resurfacing of long queues at filling stations in Nigeria after several increase in fuel price to ensure the availability of the product to all citizens in recent past.
We are not only so concerned that this seeming artificial scarcity is happening mostly during Christmas period but we are disturbed that everything is looking like an attempt to deliberately sabotage the celebration of Christmas by the Christians.
We wonder why queues will suddenly resurface after all assurances and steps have been taken to ensure the constant availability of petroleum product.
We want to call on the President Mohammadu Buhari, the Ministry of petroleum and other relevant stakeholders to take decisive measures toward ensuring that fuel is made available and accessible to all citizens within the shortest possible time at controlled price. The President should direct that whoever is involved in this sabotage be fished out and sanctioned accordingly.
It is irritating to note that Christmas season do not just happened but its a worldwide celebration that is known to everyone and for authorities to behave like the season came suddenly without taking necessary measures to control the activities of saboteurs is unacceptable to the church.
We are aware that there are Federal Government Agencies and other organizations like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) that start taking due measures and preparing for Christmas for some months ahead of December and wonders why the petroleum regulators will not consider taking similar steps.
We deeply view the negligence of relevant authorities to ensure fuel availability to citizens as deliberate and an attempt to exploit the citizens and particularly Christians who travel distances for the celebration.
This is supposed to be a period where prices of goods and services are reduced to the minimum because of the high level of patronage.
We commend Nigerians particularly travellers for accepting to bear this unnecessary pain and pray that the good Lord will lessen our burdens and grant that this year will still mark one of the best celebrations.
As we celebrate, let us all be security conscious and remember the persecuted church in Adamawa, Kaduna,Borno and all other parts of Nigeria in our prayers and gifts.
May we never forget to celebrate this Christmas with the reason for the season;the birth of the Savior of the world; Jesus Christ our Lord. Merry Christmas to all Nigerians and a prosperous new year.
Evangelical Barr. Kwamkur Samuel, National Director, Legal and Public Affairs, CAN.
12th December, 2017
