No More N13,500: FG Moves to Take Action as Dealers Announce New Cooking Gas Price
- The federal government has declared that producers and regulatory bodies of cooking gas will be invited soon
- It stated this as the cost of cooking gas rose again, causing concerns for citizens across the country
- Additionally, the federal government declared that, through a few partners, 250 fully-filled LPG cylinders will be distributed
Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has over 3 years of experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.
To address the nation's skyrocketing prices of the product, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), has announced that he will invite regulatory bodies and producers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), often known as cooking gas.
Source: Getty Images
This occurred concurrently with the federal government's distribution of 250 fully-filled LPG cylinders to underprivileged homes in Lagos state through the Decade of Gas Secretariat and a few partners.
According to a ThisDay report, the operation was in keeping with the government's yearly goal of having 250,000 households in each of Nigeria's 774 local government areas switch to clean cooking gas by 2030.
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Cooking gas price increases
The cost of LPG per kilogramme has increased dramatically recently. Last month, a 12.5-kg cylinder cost roughly N13,500. Today, the same cylinder can be filled for as much as N16,200.
Speaking to reporters in Lagos during the launch of the LPG Grassroots P*netration and Cylinder Distribution Programme for the South-West Zone, Ekpo acknowledged that cooking gas prices had increased and said he would invite the relevant parties to address the issue.
“In the energy security we are talking about, we are talking about the affordability, availability. So we are going to do that. Whatsoever is the reason behind the hike in price, we will make sure we bring it down.”
The minister added earlier in his keynote speech that the day's events demonstrated the administration's unshakable commitment to increasing domestic gas usage.
Ekpo observed that by beginning with the distribution of up to 250 gas cylinders, the administration was making concrete progress toward accomplishing its larger objective.
He added that the initiative was a key component of the Decade of Gas Initiative, which envisions converting 250,000 homes to clean cooking gas within the next decade.
The minister also said the government was committed to realising this vision through strategic partnerships with both the public and private sectors.
Ekpo added:
“I would like to solicit corporate, private, and public sponsorship to advance this program beyond our goal of one million households. Our goal is to convert over one million homes across 774 local government areas in Nigeria to utilise LPG for cooking.”
Nigerians react
Reacting to the hike in gas price, Nigerians lament the instability in cooking gas cost calling for the intervention of the government.
Sheriffat Lawal said,
"The problem about price volatility is that it doesn't allow for proper planning. This is why the government need to step up regulations of gas price."
Peter Patrick said,
"It is a good thing if the government is working with stakeholders to distribute cooking. However, what is more important is the regulation of the product."
This came amid the fuel scarcity across the country. Legit.ng reported that oil marketers have explained that the reason for the shortage of petroleum motor spirit and gasoline is the persistent logistical issues.
Companies announce free 3kg, 6kg cooking gas cylinders
Legit.ng reported that, with a short to medium-term goal of reaching over 500,000 homes, Women in Energy Network (WIEN), in collaboration with Smart Gas Limited, was looking to distribute 100,000 units of 3kg and 6kg gas cylinders to households across the 774 LGAs.
According to WEIN president Eyono Fatai-Williams, the recent LPG distribution initiative was a critical step toward the nation's fuel diversification and economic sustainability goals.
She mentioned the health advantages of switching to LPG and emphasised how lowering household air pollution contributes to better public health.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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