An environmentalist and political commentator, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to quickly fix Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries to start production before the implementation of the proposed 15% Fuel Import Tax.
He commended the Federal Government on the proposed 15 Percent Fuel Import tax, but however faulted the 2026 timing for its implementation.
Onuesoke, issued a press statement in Warri, Delta State, suggested a phased implementation of the policy, which should happen after fixing local Refineries to fully refine petroleum products.
The Chairman of Onuesoke Foundation, acknowledged that the import tax policy is designed to promote local refining, conserve foreign exchange, and increase government revenue, but stressed that such measures must align with the country’s current economic realities and refinery readiness.
“While I commend the government’s desire to encourage local production through fiscal reforms, the timing of this 15% import tax raises serious concern,” he said.
“Implementing it when local refineries are not yet operating at full capacity could aggravate the already high cost of fuel and worsen inflation across sectors,” Onuesoke warned.
He noted that the government should prioritise the full operational readiness of the Dangote Refinery, Port Harcourt Refinery and other modular plants before imposing any new import duties that may affect fuel availability or pricing stability.
“Policies of this magnitude must be implemented gradually. A phased approach will protect citizens from sudden price shocks and ensure that local refineries are truly capable of meeting national demand,” he advised.
Onuesoke further emphasised that revenue generation should not come at the expense of citizens’ welfare, urging the Federal Government to consult widely with relevant stakeholders — including petroleum marketers, labour unions, and consumer rights groups — to prevent public backlash.
“Nigeria cannot tax hardship into prosperity. Economic reforms should empower, not punish, the people,” he concluded.
