The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (NICOSO) has threatened to go on protest following the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to import over 1.6 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The group not only described the move as a policy misstep but also as a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s local refining potential, cripple the economy, and deepen the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.
It stated on Tuesday that failure to desist from the importation of PMS would compel NICOSO to organize nationwide protests across Abuja and other states, stressing that Nigerians must rise to demand accountability, transparency, and policies that prioritize local industries.
Its spokesperson, Mr Tabuko Kennedy, while briefing newsmen in Abuja, explained that the importation of such an enormous volume of PMS places undue pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.
According to him, with the Naira already struggling against major currencies, the decision would exacerbate the depreciation of the currency.
He observed, “A weaker Naira means higher inflation, making life harder for Nigerians as goods and services become increasingly unaffordable.
“The added cost of importing fuel undermines our goal of achieving energy independence, while draining resources that could have been invested in local refineries.”
The spokesman said that the decision to import over 1.6 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is not just a policy misstep but a deliberate move to undermine Nigeria’s local refining potential, cripple the economy, and deepen the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.
He noted that it is alarming that the imported PMS is reportedly of substandard quality, damaging vehicles and increasing maintenance costs for millions of Nigerians, pointing out that from taxi drivers to small business owners, the poor-quality fuel is wreaking havoc on livelihoods as it is unacceptable in a country with abundant crude oil and refining potential.
He observed that the NNPCL’s decision to import PMS on such a scale undermines the national interest, weakens the economy, and delays the journey toward energy independence, as Nigerians cannot allow decisions that compromise the future to go unchecked.
NNPCL importation of PMS: Civil society organizations threaten to protest
