The rising cost of cooking gas over the last few months has forced many Nigerians to explore alternatives to the commodity they left long ago.
Cooking gas also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is now being replaced with firewood and charcoal. This traditional method has become the preferred method because people can no longer afford to buy gas or kerosene.
Business owners and individuals alike are feeling the heat of this hike in price.
A restaurant owner in Abuja who share the plight of many in the business laments;
“So many people do not have money to buy gas or kerosene, that is why most people started using firewood and charcoal”
Statistics on the cost of LPG in Abuja as revealed by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that the price to refill a 1kg gas cylinder now goes for #700 to #800 Naira, 3kg for #2,500, 5kg for 4000, 10kg for 8,000 and 12.5kg for #9000.
As Nigerians battle with this hike, the FG has little to do with the situation. It says it has no control over the price of cooking gas. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva made this known in a recent press briefing at the State House Abuja.
According to him;
” We must understand that the cooking gas is not subsidised. It is already a deregulated commodity. So the price of cooking gas is not determined by government… We are quite concerned and the President also is aware that the price of gas is high in the market and we are doing everything to bring down the price that is achievable, as we approach the yuletide”
Solutions however, are being proffered by stakeholders. Speaking with newsmen, the Programme Manager, National Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Expansion Implementation Plan, Mr. Dayo Adeshina says competition and increased number of players among other things would impact significantly on the price;
” Competition and increased number of players would bring down the price. So in the short term, we need to reduce the export and bring those volumes in country. That would have a significant impact “.
Similarly, in the words of the President Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association, Mr. Nuhu Yakubu, “Free up more domestic molecules. How do we free up these molecules? It is by reducing exports of LPG put of the country. We have to find ways to improve supply site by domesticating the products that are exported into Nigeria “.
There was a time Nigerians were encouraged to substitute the use of gas for the traditional method due to its affordability, ease of use and environmental benefit. They welcomed this advancement, the concern now is to face another challenge of price hike.
Source: Channels News