The Coalition for Energy Reforms and Good Governance Advocacy has urged the removal of hidden levies and charges on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as petrol, locally sourced from Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a first step towards making the product affordable for Nigerians and ending the worsening misery of citizens......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The group’s position was made known in Abuja on Sunday, by its Executive Director, Dr Jonathan Amande
followed the latest increase in the pump prices of petrol, which has caused widespread outrage among Nigerians, who are questioning the increasing cost of the product when it is being locally refined.
This is amid controversies surrounding petrol pricing from the Dangote Refinery and the role of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the distribution process, which has been blamed for the increasing pump prices that Nigerians pay.
The Coalition noted that “removing hidden levies on petrol sourced from Dangote Refinery has become imperative, given that the cabal that once fed fat on criminal petrol subsidies has now resorted to making money through secret levies on petrol, with the active collusion of NNPCL.
The Coalition called on NNPCL to urgently eliminate hidden charges on fuel prices from the Dangote Refinery, stating that these hidden levies have been added to the Premium, inspection fee, margin and NMDPRA (Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority) fee that were publicly declared.
It argued that “these invisible government levies, including those from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), are unjustified and inflate the cost of locally produced fuel.
“These levies, which have no place in the local production and sale of petroleum products, prevent the Dangote Refinery from selling fuel at more affordable prices.
“Without these additional charges, some of which are layered on the crude supply, local refineries could potentially sell fuel at prices as low as ₦400 per litre,” the Coalition asserted.
The advocacy group called for a comprehensive review of all levies imposed on locally refined petroleum products along the entire value chain, while urging the Federal Government to reveal the true impact of these levies to Nigerians, emphasising that removing them would significantly reduce fuel prices and alleviate the financial burden on the masses.
It insisted that transparency and fairness in fuel pricing are crucial for the country’s economic well-being.