Anglican Church Demands Urgent CAMA 2020 Review, Decries NDDC’s Filthiness
Urges FG to propose amended bill
Seeks justice for Niger Delta
Wants erring officials axed
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Cathedral Church of The Holy Trinity, Anglican Communion, has urged the Federal Government to revisit the Company and Allied Matters Acts, (CAMA) 2020 with a view to ensuring that its implementation does not adversely impact the growth of religious organizations in Nigeria.
It said the amendment bill recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari must be reviewed urgently in the interest of the fragile peace and unity of the country.
Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province of Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Tunde Adeleye, FICT said though the Federal Government reserves the constitutional right to make laws for the nation’s good governance, it is equally incumbent on it to passionately give a listening ear to the hues and cries of the citizenry concerning the impact of such laws on their overall well being.
Addressing the media in Calabar to mark the 2020 synod of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Adeleye said with both Muslims and Christians jointly kicking against certain provisions of the amended Act, it is a clear sign that religious organizations are not comfortable with the bill and the government, as a responsible father, should not turn a deaf ear to their grievances and supplications.
He described the CAMA 2020 as not only obnoxious, but also strange to accurate reasoning, noting that a situation where the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), according to the provisions of the Act, is expected to appoint, elect, or retire trustees of any religious body is vexatious and should be revisited.
The Clergyman, who is Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Niger Delta Province, also pointed out that the issue of registration and taxation being the contents of the Act manifestly paints religious organizations as political parties, companies as well as business institutions and is out rightly not acceptable as it seeks to ridicule the sensibilities of religious bodies.
Also addressing ongoing probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) activities by the National Assembly (NASS), Rev Adeleye said as a Federal Government agency saddled with developing the oil rich Niger Delta region, the Commission has failed to discharge its mandate responsibly
He lamented that what is currently on ground in the name of projects implementation is a far cry from the humongous funds touted as investment to develop the area.
“Listening to such revelations is sickening. It appears that those responsible for implementing the projects meant to redress the backwardness of the region are either not from this planet or they are simply psychopathic and required psychiatric test”, the highly respected cleric said
For him, anyone or groups found culpable in funds’ mismanagement; diversion of resources; or general abuse of public trust must be held accountable and made to answer for his or her actions in line with existing laws of the land.
