The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the federal government to prioritise measures that will alleviate poverty and hardships experienced by Nigerians.

The call came in the wake of the recent unprecedented hikes in fuel prices and alarming inflation rate.

CAN president Daniel Okoh, in a statement, expressed deep concerns over the hardships faced by Nigerians and urged immediate steps to mitigate the situation.

“While we acknowledge the complex and difficult decisions taken by the government to manage the nation’s economy, there is the urgent need to prioritise measures that will alleviate rather than exacerbate the existing poverty level and hardships of Nigerians,” Mr Okoh said.

The association commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing commitment towards building a united, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria.

However, CAN highlighted the economic strain experienced by Nigerians following the fuel price hike from N540 to N617, which has significantly hiked the cost of living.

“This has placed an enormous burden on the already struggling masses, making it extremely difficult for them to afford the basic necessities of life,” CAN pointed out.

The Christian body recommended that the government engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to explore sustainable solutions to the current situation.

CAN also urged the government to focus on diversifying the economy, promoting investments in sectors with the potential to create sustainable employment opportunities, and introducing mass transportation across states to reduce the cost of transportation.

The statement also suggested measures to reduce fuel prices, such as removing unnecessary levies and taxes on imported petroleum products, stabilising the foreign exchange market, and restoring local refineries to functional use.

“While we agree that there is no gain without pain, the pain must not be unbearable,” the religious body said, emphasising the need for the government to consider its policies’ impact on the most vulnerable segments of society.

CAN appealed to Nigerians for patience while urging the government to take urgent steps to ameliorate their sufferings.

(NAN)