A significant rise in the retail price of cooking gas (LPG) in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Ogun State is causing problems for Nigerian homes, gas marketers, merchants, and industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM).
The spike comes after dealers have raised prices throughout the supply chain due to distribution restrictions and supply delays brought on by strike action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The price of refilling a 12.5 kg cooking gas cylinder has reportedly increased to ₦21,600 as of this week, from roughly ₦14,400 the week before. Prices in Lagos presently vary from ₦1,600 to ₦1,800 per kilogram, depending on the store or distributor.
Cooking gas sold for far less before the latest surge. According to marketers, LPG used to cost less than ₦1,000 per kilogram, but depending on the merchant, prices ranged from ₦1,200 to ₦1,300.
NALPGAM President Oladapo Olatunbosun stated, “At this time, I can tell you authoritatively that the majority of our LPG supply is produced locally,” according to The Guardian. There is very little importation. In fact, because local supply has grown so much, you may lose money if you import now.
People have posted images of lengthy lines at gas stations on social media. On Monday morning, @ifesalakoofice, a Twitter user, shared a video of hundreds of people queuing to refill their cylinders.
In order for everyday home activities to resume as usual, many Nigerians hope that the situation would be handled quickly.
