(DDM) — A senior chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has strongly criticised the federal government’s approval of a 15 percent import tariff on petrol and diesel, warning that the policy could intensify the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Chief Emami, a prominent political figure and businessman from Itsekiri in Warri South-West Local Government Area, said the new tariff would raise fuel import costs, ultimately pushing pump prices higher and placing more pressure on struggling households.
He said the government’s move, although intended to protect domestic refineries and encourage local production, could backfire if introduced without proper cushioning measures for citizens already battling rising living costs.
“The timing of this policy is wrong,” Emami stated. “People are barely surviving, and any additional cost on fuel will ripple through the entire economy, from transportation to food prices and basic goods.”
DDM reports that the 15 percent ad-valorem tariff, recently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of efforts to support Nigeria’s refinery projects, including the Dangote Refinery and Port Harcourt Refinery, while discouraging excessive import dependence.
However, Emami cautioned that the policy could worsen inflation and limit economic mobility, particularly in oil-producing states like Delta, where fuel drives both transport and small-scale business operations.
He added that the decision may also discourage investors in the downstream oil sector if the government fails to provide clear regulatory guidelines and transparent fiscal policies.
“The government must strike a balance between revenue generation and social welfare,” he said. “Any action that further burdens the people will only widen the gap between the rich and poor.”
Chief Emami called on the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to consult major stakeholders, including marketers, depot operators, and labour unions, before implementing the tariff.
He also advised that part of the revenue expected from the import duty should be channelled into fuel subsidy replacement programs, public transportation support, and refinery maintenance, to reduce the long-term impact on consumers.
DDM recalls that fuel prices have surged in recent months following the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023, with petrol now selling between ₦650 and ₦720 per litre in some parts of the country.
Economists warn that another price hike could exacerbate poverty levels and stall small business recovery, especially in states dependent on logistics and oil distribution like Delta.
Chief Emami reiterated that while he supports the government’s drive for energy independence, it must not come “at the expense of citizens’ survival.”
He urged President Tinubu to reconsider the policy or delay implementation until domestic refineries become fully operational, saying this would protect consumers and stabilize the economy.
“The government must listen to the people,” Emami concluded. “Policies should relieve suffering, not multiply it.”
