The cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has jumped to N25,000 this week from N17,500 last week, intensifying pressure on households across Nigeria.
Report revealed that 1kg of LPG now sells for between N1,500 and N2,000, depending on the location.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr. Bassey Essien, the hike followed disruptions caused by the recent strike action of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery is currently the largest local supplier of cooking gas in Nigeria. The PENGASSAN crisis disrupted distribution, leaving many dealers unable to replenish their stocks. What we are witnessing is simply demand outstripping supply. However, we expect some stability as the conflict has now been resolved,” Essien said.
Many gas plants in Lagos and its environs shut their doors yesterday due to lack of stock, forcing consumers to move from one outlet to another in search of gas.
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, recently disclosed that the refinery currently produces 2,000 tonnes of LPG daily, with plans to ramp up output to meet rising demand. He also hinted at bypassing distributors if prices remain high, in a bid to make LPG more affordable and help Nigerians switch from firewood and kerosene.
Before Dangote’s entry, Nigeria’s LPG demand was largely met by the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited. In its latest report, NLNG reiterated its commitment to domestic supply, noting that since 2007 it has steadily increased volumes allocated for Nigerian households.
“In 2022, we committed 100% of our Butane production to the domestic market. Today, all of our Butane output is fully absorbed locally,” the company said.
NLNG added that it supplies LPG through coastal terminals in Lagos and Rivers States, with new facilities under review in Delta State and plans to expand further. The company has also chartered a dedicated vessel to ensure reliable delivery, with the goal of making cooking gas more accessible and affordable nationwide.
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