Bishop says change should begin with National Assembly

Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, says the real change should begin with the complete overhauling of the National Assembly.
Ezeokafor made the call at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Ajalli in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State during a pastoral visit on Tuesday.
The clergy, however, advised the Federal Government to make the assembly less-attractive.
He said that the huge allowances received by members of the assembly were telling on poor Nigerians in the present economic recession.
Ezepkafor said: “If the National Assembly is made less-attractive, many people will drop their ambitions.
“Many of them are there because of the lucrative nature.
“The masses are suffering and yet you will hear that a lawmaker is going home with billions of naira on monthly basis in the name of legislation.”
The Catholic Prelate, also chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria Committee on Laity, said members of the Assembly should slash their jumbo pay.
The bishop urged government to look inward and ensure that none of its arm engaged in wastefulness, nepotism, favouritism, lopsided appointments.
He challenged the NASS to come up with a law that would better the lot of the people.
He said: “You need to see how people are trooping into my office each time I am in the office soliciting for alms. There is serious hunger in the land. I am no longer finding it funny.
“This government should do something fast. You’re telling us that we’re in recession whereas the political class is over there in Abuja enjoying our patrimony.”