The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised the Federal Government’s suspension of the 15% tariff on imported fuel, describing the decision as harmful to Nigeria’s economic growth and long-term quest for self-reliance.
MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, stated this in a press release issued on Friday, noting that the suspension announced on Thursday by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) was ill-timed and contrary to the national interest.
According to Akintola, removing the tariff undermines the country’s progress toward strengthening its local refining capacity at a time when Nigeria is beginning to benefit from the operations of an indigenous refinery.
He argued that with the capacity to process 1.4 million barrels per day, the existing local refinery can adequately meet Nigeria’s daily demand of between 48 million and 52 million litres, making heavy reliance on fuel importation unnecessary.
“Nigeria must allow local industries to flourish,” he said. “We must encourage local investors so they can multiply. The Dangote Refinery is one such investment, and its success should motivate other business leaders to establish similar ventures.”
MURIC urged the Federal Government to reconsider the suspension, insisted that protecting local production remains essential for economic expansion, job creation, and national stability. The organisation also cited countries like China and Singapore as examples of nations that grew their industrial base by limiting imports and prioritising domestic manufacturing.
“The country stands to gain immensely from blocking further importation of goods we already produce in abundance,” Akintola added.
