Godwin Isenyo, Kaduna

The Northern Christians Association of Nigeria on Sunday asked the Federal Government to intensify its efforts in fixing the problem of fuel scarcity,which had lingered in the country since January.

The association said the untold hardship Nigerians were experiencing as an oil producing nation was unacceptable.

The associations Public Relations Officer, Rev. John Hayab, who spoke on the significance of Easter celebration, told our correspondent in Kaduna that the government should reflect on the fact that Jesus Christ died to eliminate the sufferings ofmankind and do the needful to eliminate the current hardship being faced by Nigerians.

The Northern CAN’s spokesman criticised the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, for saying that fuel scarcity might linger till May.

Kachikwu, who is also the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, had told State House correspondents that he was not a magician and the fuel scarcity could not be eliminated with a magic wand.

Hayab described Kachikwus statement as unguarded and an insult to the long-suffering Nigerians, stressing that Nigerians voted the current government for positive change.

According to him, government is meant to cushion effects of hardship on the people, hence it needs to wake up to its responsibilities now more than ever before.

The leadership of Northern CAN, he noted, was of the view thatthe celebration would be worthwhile if Nigerians were not facing such tough times.

He said, “What we are saying is that government is meant for the people and as such government should double its efforts to reducing the pains inflicted on the average Nigeriansby the fuel scarcity in the country.

“The way and manner Nigerians queue, (some even sleep at filing stations) in the face of this hardship is unacceptable to the leadership Northern CAN.

“Northern CAN wants the government toearnestly do something urgent to avert this ugly situationbefore it gets out of hands.”

The association, however, urged Nigerians to support governments efforts by doing the right thing at the right time, to move the country forward.