By Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed worry over the current fuel scarcity and emergence of queues at filling stations across the country.
The Christian umbrella body alleged that the artificial scarcity of petrol was aimed at sabotaging Christmas celebration.
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Kwamkur Samuel, CAN Director of Legal and Public Affairs voiced the displeasure of the organisation in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, “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.”
He said: “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.”
“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 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,” he added.
CAN therefore called onPresident 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 said