Archbishop Ugorji Warns Public Officers Against Regarding People's Commonwealth As Their Own

By Chidi Nkwopara 
OWERRI ---- Public office holders, who have access to Nigeria's commonwealth, have been advised to employ it for public good and resist the temptation of appropriating it to themselves.
Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, gave the advice in a homily he delivered weekend, when he paid a pastoral visit to St. James Catholic Church, Nnorie, Ngor Okpala local government area of Imo State.
He said: "Our prayer today and always, is that the good Lord will touch the hearts of our public office holders and lead them to understand that we are human beings with sensibilities, who should be treated as such.
"We equally pray that God will touch the hearts of all those who have access to our commonwealth and teach them to resist the temptation of appropriating our common patrimony to themselves, instead of employing it for common public good.
"Only recently, it came to public domain that a court has ordered final forfeiture of about 735 duplexes, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, unearthed not long ago 
"The leadership of the anti-crime agency, stopped short of telling the rest of us, who the owner of the buildings. Their reason for taking this stand is not clear to the people.
"We have been pleading with our public office holders, to stop stealing our common patrimony, but this plea has never hit the right chord for years.
"What will anybody do with over 700 duplexes built in Abuja or anywhere? What most of us do not still understand, is the reason behind EFCC's decision to keep Nigerians in the dark, about the real owner(s) of the multiple duplexes.
"Concerned citizens are already looking forward to the day somebody or a rights group, will invoke the Freedom of Information Act and compel EFCC to disclose the owner(s) of the multi-billion Naira estate.
"This particular finding has sufficiently proved that our public office holders, not only pilfer our commonwealth, but are no longer interested in stealing just a little for their use today.
"They are sadly stealing profusely, for their generations yet unborn! Does this not translate to a degree of insanity? Where does these earthly and senseless acquisitions lead us to? A few have everything, while many have nothing.
"In our own clime, where we seem to hate ourselves and make things difficult for others, I am told, as I arrived Nnorie that a son of the community grades the road every December.
"He has chosen to make the road network smoother and easier for use, by the people and not wait for the government to do it. This is practical love in action.
"In this Christmas season, we must learn extend love to others. However, it is a known fact that instead of coming to the aid of the needy in our midst, our traders hike the prices of goods in the market.
"The same is also true of commercial transport operators. They slam unbearable fares on commuters during festive seasons. Is this fair to all concerned? Does this build good will and better friendship? Why do we hate ourselves?