The federal authorities have issued a stern directive to gas/” title=”Wife Shares Surprising Preference: Husband Chooses Firewood-Cooked Meals Over …!”>cooking gas suppliers, cautioning them against stockpiling and unjustified price increases amid growing public anxiety over shortages and escalating costs.
In response to the persistently high retail prices, the government has called for enhanced surveillance of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facilities nationwide to curb hoarding and other exploitative practices.
Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), expressed concern over the surge in LPG prices, which have escalated from a range of N1,000-N1,100 per kilogram to between N1,500 and N1,700 per kilogram in various regions.
While acknowledging that the LPG sector operates under a deregulated framework, the minister urged all participants in the LPG supply chain-including marketers and distributors-to act responsibly, avoid hoarding, and refrain from taking advantage of consumers for financial gain.
To enforce these directives, the minister instructed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to step up inspections of LPG depots nationwide, aiming to eliminate stockpiling and other unfair market behaviors that could exacerbate the current challenges.
The minister attributed the recent price increases primarily to a strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the Dangote Refinery, which temporarily disrupted LPG loading operations.
Additionally, ongoing maintenance work at the Nigeria LNG Train 4 facility has contributed to a reduced LPG supply in the domestic market, further intensifying the shortage.
“These interruptions have caused a supply deficit, triggering a price hike due to the imbalance between demand and availability,” he explained.
“This situation is temporary and is expected to improve shortly, as the Dangote Refinery has resumed operations, with LPG loading for the domestic market already in progress.”
“Similarly, the Bonny River Terminal, managed by Seplat Energy, has recommenced loading activities, and Nigeria LNG is steadily returning to full capacity as maintenance nears completion.”
With these positive developments, the minister anticipates that LPG supply will stabilize by next week, which should lead to a gradual decrease in prices.
He reassured the public that the federal government remains dedicated to guaranteeing an adequate and affordable supply of cooking gas to households across the nation.
