By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
A Coalition of civil society organizations has urged the Federal Government to suspend its plan to introduce a 15 percent import tariff on petrol and diesel.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the coalition warned that the proposed tariff would lead to higher fuel prices, reduce competition, and create a monopoly in the petroleum sector.
The group said that the Dangote refinery currently meets only about 40 percent of Nigeria’s fuel demand, and imposing the tariff now could result in fuel scarcity and inflation.
According to the coalition, the policy would increase pump prices by between 130 and 145 Naira per litre, further worsening the cost of living.
It called on the government to suspend the tariff until local refining capacity can meet at least 80 percent of national demand.
The coalition recommended the creation of a competition framework to prevent monopolistic pricing and urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to monitor market activities.
It also called for improved logistics and port infrastructure to reduce transportation and import costs for all operators in the sector while asking government to protect consumers and promote fair competition, not policies that favor a single company or restrict market access.
The proposed 15 percent import tariff is expected to take effect in January.
