By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

Nnewi—Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese on the Niger has called on Anambra State government to punish those who demolished its building at Oyeolu Oze on the night of August 11, 2014. It also called on the government to intensify efforts to redress the wrong and prevent future occurrences of such incident and use it as a sincere way of dismantling religious politics in the state.

The church’s position was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the 3rd Session of the 29th Synod of the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, held at St Paul’s Parish, Ogidi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The Diocese in the Communiqué signed by Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo, Chancellor of the Diocese, Sir Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN) and the Synod Secretary, Ven. John Nkwoemezie, also called on the Federal Government to keep to its promise of tackling the challenges of Boko Haram, kidnapping, non-release of the Chibok girls and other vices, since it was the only way to ensure a holistic development of the nation.

While expressing sadness over the recent fuel tanker fire in Onitsha and Lagos, the church commiserated with the families of the victims and commended the government of Anambra State, on steps taken to protect lives and properties in the state. It backed the banning of trucks on the roads in the day time and urged the government to ensure the implementation of the ban, while also calling on the relevant agencies of the Federal Government to put machinery in motion to avert future occurrences.

The church also expressed concern over the continued non-payment of workers’ salaries by some states of the federation, but decried the problem of strike and its adverse effect on the nation’s economy. It called on government at all levels to seek lasting solution to no-payment of workers, saying a labourer deserved his wages.

The Synod thanked God for a successful general election and hand over in the country to another democratically elected government. “We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and other elected representatives to the leadership position in our nation and call on them to deliver their campaign promises so as to position our nation in the part of growth. “We also note with delight the effort of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, towards conducting peaceful and credible elections.

‘’Nevertheless, we note that the election was nearly marred by late arrival of election materials, faulty cards readers, teenage/child voting among other vices, INEC should therefore put machinery in motion to ensure that the observable irregularities are addressed before the next elections,” the communique read.