Chief Ayiri Emami, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state, has faulted the approval of a 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel imported into Nigeria.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which secured the approval of President Bola Tinubu, said the move was designed to protect domestic refineries and promote stability in the downstream oil sector.
FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji, said the objective of the initiative is to operationalize crude transactions in local currency, strengthen refining capacity, and ensure a stable and affordable supply of petroleum products across the country.
He said the new tariff would prevent duty-free fuel imports from undermining local refineries and help create a fair, competitive downstream market.
Tinubu has directed the FIRS and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to immediately begin enforcing the tariff.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Emami, who is also chairman and chief executive officer of A & E Group, said ordinary Nigerians would bear the brunt of the new tariff.
His words: “No, anybody advising Mr President to impose a 15 percent tax on petroleum right now is not doing him any good.
“This kind of policy will not hurt marketers — it will hurt ordinary Nigerians. Whatever tax you put on petroleum goes straight back to the people on the streets. Nigerians are already hungry and struggling.”
He said the decision would worsen hardship for rural dwellers, especially those whose livelihoods depend on fuel for fishing and transportation.
“In my area, especially among those of us who live by the river and depend on fishing, the cost of fuel affects everything.
“When you buy fuel, it determines whether you can even go out to fish. It’s not that the fish are gone — it’s that we can’t afford to reach them anymore,” he stated.
Emami urged the federal government to suspend the new tax until more relief measures are provided to Nigerians.
His words: “For me, that 15 percent should be kept aside until the government provides more relief to Nigerians.
“Even after removing fuel subsidy, we haven’t seen much positive reflection. Things are still hard. So why add another burden?”
He said some of those pushing the policy were not concerned about the president’s political fortunes or the people’s welfare.
“Some people don’t care about Mr President or what he’s going through — they just want to create more problems. Those are my honest opinions on the matter,” he said.
