Public affairs analyst and Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, PAACA, Ezenwa Nwagwu, has commended the Federal Government for its decision to suspend the proposed 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel.
In a statement released on Monday, Nwagwu described the suspension as a significant relief for Nigerians, who would have faced a sharp rise in fuel prices had the policy been implemented.
“We commend the Federal Government for taking the right decision by suspending the tariff proposal,” he stated, emphasizing that the decision demonstrates that “when citizens and civic actors speak with evidence and clarity, government listens.”
He pointed out that the policy reversal underscores the importance of participatory governance and the power of evidence-based advocacy.
Nwagwu noted that continued pressure from stakeholders likely played a crucial role in prompting the government to retract the tariff plan.
He highlighted that halting the proposed duty will help stabilize the petroleum market, reduce inflationary pressures, and protect citizens from further economic hardships.
“The suspension is not just a policy correction but a victory for citizens’ voices in the policy process,” he added.
Last week, as reported by DAILY POST, Nwagwu had called on the government to “protect the people, not the monopoly,” warning at a press conference in Abuja that the new tariff would distort competition, increase fuel prices, and exacerbate the economic challenges already faced by Nigerians.
