Civil Society Group Celebrates Government's Decision on Fuel Tariff
The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) has expressed strong approval of the Federal Government's decision to suspend the planned 15 percent import tariff on petrol and diesel. The organization described this move as a significant achievement for evidence-based advocacy and participatory governance in Nigeria.
Government Responds to Economic Concerns
On Thursday, the Federal Government announced the suspension of the controversial tariff proposal following widespread concerns about its potential negative impact. Officials acknowledged that implementing the tariff could have distorted market competition, caused sharp increases in fuel prices, and exacerbated the economic challenges facing Nigerian citizens.
Earlier this week, PAACA had urgently called on the government to abandon the tariff plan, presenting evidence that Nigeria's local refining capacity remains below 50 percent of national demand. The organization argued that imposing such a tariff under these circumstances risked creating artificial scarcity and strengthening the market dominance of a single private player in the petroleum sector.
A Win for Civic Engagement
Ezenwa Nwagwu, PAACA's Executive Director, praised the government's responsive approach, stating that the decision demonstrates the effectiveness of civic engagement in shaping public policy. "We commend the Federal Government for taking the right decision by suspending the tariff proposal," Nwagwu said.
He emphasized that the suspension represents more than just a policy correction but validates the importance of citizen voices in governance processes. Nwagwu believes that PAACA's timely intervention, combined with pressure from other concerned stakeholders, played a crucial role in influencing the government's decision.
The organization views this development as a positive demonstration of responsive governance and plans to continue engaging with government institutions on policies that directly impact citizens. PAACA remains committed to ensuring that economic reforms maintain transparency, inclusivity, and fairness for all stakeholders involved in Nigeria's development.
