Doherty Calls on Senate to Investigate Proposed Petrol Levy

A Lagos State governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Funso Doherty, has urged the National Assembly to launch an investigation into the recently approved 15% import duty on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. He cautioned that implementing the policy could deepen the economic hardship already confronting millions of Nigerians.

In an open letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Doherty described the new import duty as “fundamental and ill-timed,” questioning both the reasoning behind the decision and the transparency of the process that led to its approval.

Reports indicate that President Bola Tinubu approved the levy following a proposal from the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), now known as the Nigeria Revenue Service. The FIRS chairman reportedly argued that the duty was intended to support local fuel producers and help them achieve cost recovery rather than serve as a revenue source for the government.

Doherty, however, disagreed with this justification. He pointed out that major domestic producers, including the Dangote Refinery, already enjoy fiscal incentives such as tax waivers and holidays due to their location within export processing zones. He argued that imposing additional import tariffs would unfairly shift the burden to consumers.

“I call on the National Assembly to investigate the circumstances and processes surrounding the introduction of this import duty,” Doherty stated. “In doing so, it would be appropriate to invite the NMDPRA, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, and key industry stakeholders to evaluate whether placing this extra cost on Nigerians at this time is justifiable. The investigation should be transparent and open to the public to maintain accountability.”

He further warned that the new duty could increase the pump price of petrol by as much as ₦100 per litre, potentially fueling inflation and worsening living conditions for many citizens.

“Petrol pricing policies have far-reaching consequences for Nigerians,” Doherty said. “Many households are already under severe financial pressure, and any further price hike would be devastating.”