The Coalition for Energy Reforms and Good Governance Advocacy on Sunday called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL to remove hidden levies and charges on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, better known as petrol, locally sourced from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The coalition said the removal of the levies and charges would make the product affordable for Nigerians and end the worsening hardship being faced by citizens.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the coalition’s Executive Director, Dr Jonathan Amande.
The call followed the latest increase in the pump prices of petrol by the NNPCL which had triggered widespread outrage among Nigerians.
The concerned citizens are questioning what prompted the fuel hike when the product is being locally refined.
Reacting to the hike, 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 inflates 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.
