Cooking Gas Scarcity Grips Multiple Nigerian States

The scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has cast a shadow over several Nigerian states, with Lagos, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Delta, and Kaduna facing the heat. The situation has taken a toll on the pockets of consumers, sending gas prices skyrocketing.

According to report, this predicament began to rear its head late last month, sending surprises through households and businesses that rely on this essential commodity for cooking and heating. An investigation by The Newsmen reveals that the issue is widespread and has significant implications for the daily lives of Nigerians.

The surge in the price of cooking gas has been nothing short of alarming. As reported by Newsmen, gas terminal owners dared to increase prices by a whopping 66 percent in October alone. To put this in perspective, the cost of 20 metric tons of cooking gas surged from an initial N10 million at the beginning of last month to a staggering N16 million by late October. These price hikes occurred despite Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) supplying 20 metric tons of cooking gas to terminal owners at N9 million. The brunt of this price surge has trickled down to consumers, making it an arduous financial burden.

Market surveys conducted over the weekend have exposed the harsh realities facing consumers. A 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas now commands a jaw-dropping price range of between N13,500 and N14,000 in the black market. This black-market bonanza is a result of the inability of gas plant owners to access an adequate quantity of cooking gas at reasonable rates.

To exacerbate matters, the prices have spiraled out of control when compared to just a few months ago. In June, a 12.5kg cylinder could be obtained for approximately N8,700. By September, that price had already escalated to N10,200. Now, as of the latest report, consumers are grappling with the grim reality of shelling out between N13,500 and N14,000 for the same cylinder.

Gas plant owners, burdened by their own financial constraints, have shared their concerns. In conversations with Newsmen, these plant owners revealed that they are forced to purchase a kilogram of cooking gas at costs ranging from N1,100 to N1,200. This substantial increase in the acquisition cost has left them with no choice but to pass on the additional expense to their customers.

Oladapo Olatunbosun, President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, urged consumers to be cautious about who they patronize in these trying times. In his own gas plant, he sells at N950 per kilogram and highlighted the role of middlemen who further inflate the prices. Olatunbosun stressed that these intermediaries contribute to the growing problem of gas scarcity in the country.

The scarcity of cooking gas isn't confined to Lagos alone. Our correspondent in Katsina also reported dwindling supplies of cooking gas in the state. Small retailers began complaining about the non-availability of the commodity about two weeks ago. Investigations have revealed that a kilogram of cooking gas is now being traded for nothing less than N1,400, a stark contrast to previous prices. Despite the evident hardship faced by consumers, no official reason has been provided for this scarcity.

In Sokoto State metropolis, a similar pattern has emerged over the last few days, with the shortage leading to indiscriminate price increases. Our correspondent in Kaduna reported residents carrying their cylinders in search of cooking gas on a Sunday, as the commodity grew scarce. The retail price for a 5-kilogram cylinder in Kaduna now stands at a whopping N5,500.

The resurfacing of the scarcity of cooking gas in neighboring Kano state has also created a sense of urgency among residents. Panic buying has become the order of the day, as consumers attempt to secure their gas supplies amidst the growing uncertainty.

As these states grapple with the dire consequences of the cooking gas scarcity, many Nigerians hope for swift solutions to alleviate their financial burdens and provide much-needed relief to their households. The exact causes of this crisis remain shrouded in mystery, leaving consumers and businesses anxiously waiting for answers.