President Bola Tinubu don approve 15 percent levy for petrol and diesel wey dem dey import come Nigeria. Government say the new policy go help local refineries survive and make Nigeria no dey depend on foreign fuel again.
According to Tinubu directive to FIRS and NMDPRA, the levy go start work from November 21. Dem say e go help balance the cost between fuel wey dem produce for Nigeria and the one wey dem import from outside, and e go also make people dey buy crude oil with naira instead of dollar.
But many Nigerians dey worry say the new levy go make fuel price rise again and worsen cost of living, especially since fuel subsidy commot for May 2023.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, don ask government to explain whether the levy na only for foreign importers or e go also affect Dangote Refinery and other small refineries wey dey operate inside free trade zones.
On the other hand, Wale Oyerinde, DG of NECA, support the move. He say na good policy wey go protect local refineries just like other developed countries dey protect their own industries.
CORAN Chairman, Momoh Oyarekhua, talk say the levy go stop unfair competition, create jobs, help naira strong again and make Nigeria fit export refined fuel in future.
But some experts warn say the policy fit cause serious wahala if government no manage am well, because Nigerians already dey suffer from high transport, food, and rent cost.
Dem say make FG use the ₦1 trillion wey dem go collect from this levy to support farmers, transport, and poor people wey the policy go affect.
Experts still advise say government fit give refineries tax relief, cheap loans, and reduce import duty on refinery machines to make production fast and reduce fuel scarcity.
The policy go succeed only if Dangote and other local refineries fit produce enough fuel quick-quick to meet Nigeria demand without price wahala.
