Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Anambra State branch has praised citizens in Anambra State for their calm and mature dispositions in the face of socioeconomic hardships in Nigeria.
It said there is massive suffering and hardship in the land majorly caused by Federal Government’s new naira redesign policy and the scarcity of fuel in the country.
A statement by the group endorsed by the Chairman, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme; and Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mba; the group described the situation as “pathetic and despicable.”
It noted that many families have lost their loved ones within the period due to the inability of their families to pay hospital deposits. It also said that Nigerians wait endlessly at the banks to access their hard earned money without success.
Continuing, the group commended residents in the state for their perseverance, resilience and patience in the face of the hardship and urged them to sustain their peaceful disposition by shunning violence and any form of lawlessness.
While it acknowledged the efforts of government and CBN to mitigate the sufferings of Nigerians, the group advised that more collaborative efforts should be geared towards monitoring the disbursement of new naira notes by Bank Managers especially in the South-East.
“Information at our disposal indicates that their dishonest disbursement of the new notes contributed immensely to the artificial scarcity of money that has exacerbated the sufferings and predicament of the citizens.
“They should update CBN on daily basis names and account numbers of those that withdraw money, this will curtails the money getting into the hands of few influential people to the detriment of the citizens.”
It urged the Federal Government and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to tackle the high cost of petroleum products in the country.
It equally appealed to people of the state and Nigerians to come out in large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice with their conscience and conviction based on competent, character, capacity and capability during February 25th and March 11th general election.
