Oracle Message SQL-02153 - Invalid character variable for use in a GET/SET statement

ERRORInvalid character variable for use in a GET/SET statement
CAUSEAn host variable with type other than character, string or varchar was found as an item name (other than DATA item) in an ANSI Dynamic GET or SET descriptor statement.
ACTIONHost variable types for character items (other than the DATA item) in ANSI dynamic GET or SET descriptor statements must not be of type LONG or LONG VARCHAR. Redeclare the variable to be character, string or varchar type