Asaba –  A Catholic Priest in Delta, Rev Fr Buchi Aninye, has decried the rising level of poverty in  the country, saying that the prevailing situation was worrisome, 51 years after the nations’ independence.

Aninye, who officiated at an Inter-denominational Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, to mark the independence anniversary in the state, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Asaba, said the poverty phenomenon was a reflection of poor leadership.

He said that the provision of social services that would have checked poverty and other inadequacies in the country had continued to elude the citizens, because previous leadership lacked the patriotic will to move the nation forward.

He also said that Nigerians had refused to do the will of God and pursued selfish interest, rather than rendering service.

According to him, we lack patriotism as a people; only a few are ready to die for the country. All we care about is what we can get and not what we can give to make the country better.

“We must change our attitude,work and pray against corruption in Nigeria’’, he said.

He challenged leaders not to pay lip service by rewarding those found culpable of corruption with new appointment, rather than punish them to deter others.

Aninye, a Monsignor, tasked the government on healthcare services, education, electricity supply, workers welfare and road network, lamenting that most roads in the country were death traps.

“How can it be said that after 51 years, we cannot boast of good road networks, electricity supply for 24 hours in seven days. If there is adequate power supply, jobs will be created and the people’s health will improve.

“I hear the government wants to increase the pump price of petrol; if that is so, I hope the Federal Government realises the hazardous impact of the action on the people. This will deepen the pockets of the common man,’’ he said.

In Delta, the priest also deplored the state of roads, especially in the state capital, describing it as appalling.

He charged the state government to address the situation and decried arbitrariness in most activities and policies in the state.

“For instance, whereas religious pilgrimage is supposed to be a spiritual matter, we have observed that most persons that go on pilgrimage in the state are only those nominated by politicians.

“Each year, the common people do not go on pilgrimage, only those recommended by politicians and office holders make the journey. But I must tell you that it is the poor people that pray more for this country,” he said.

He charged Nigerians to emulate God and give freely without expecting returns.

“We should be our brother’s keeper, selfless and God-fearing in order to raise the country to the expected level of development”.

In his remarks, the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, admitted that most of the issues raised by the priest were germane and promised that the government would address them.

According to him, the appointment of a new Board for the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) is a major step to addressing the challenges of road maintenance in the state.

“I want to assure you that as soon as the rains are over, the issue of roads will be addressed. Asaba will wear a look befitting the state capital.

“Apart from that, the airport project and the new Government House will soon be completed and it will bring a new look to the state capital,” he added.  (NAN)