By Emma Ujah

ABUJA — The General  Superintendent (GS) of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has described as unnecessary, the raging controversy over whether or not churches should be taxed and suggested dialogue between church leaders and government.

There has been a strong contention between some officials of government and Christian leaders over proposal that churches should pay taxes.

Fielding questions in Abuja, yesterday, the GS said private discussions between the two parties would achieve what open confrontations could not.

His words, “I think it would be good sometimes if we talk privately to the people in authority and then we reason together. Even God said ‘come and let us reason together’. So if we do that in private that is the government and the leadership of the church, they will listen to us more”,

Pastor Kumuyi who had earlier called for dialogue between the Federal Government and the militants of the Niger Delta said he was pleased to learn of the President Yar’Adua amnesty to the youths in the region.

According to him, “the plan by the Federal Government is commendable because if we keep on fighting and there is no forgiveness, there is no love and there is no willingness to overlook the past and say ok people have done wrong: whether it is the government or other segments of the society nobody can claim total innocence.

“How long are we going to keep on fighting, destroying ourselves? So, somebody must make the move and take the initiative.

That is what the Federal Government has done by declaring amnesty. We are taking this step by declaring amnesty and then we can talk and resolve all the differences and develop the south-south region and it will be the better for the country.