Nigeria is yet again facing a heavy shockwave that threatens to tip the nation off the edge, the nation is currently facing a severe scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, with Lagos and several other states bearing the brunt of the crisis. This dire predicament has left households and small businesses struggling to access this essential energy source, leading to widespread financial hardship for consumers.
Reports indicate that the crisis has cast a wide net, affecting states such as Katsina, Sokoto, Delta, Kaduna, and Kano, prompting growing concerns about the underlying causes of this alarming situation. The crisis began to unfold late last month and has only intensified in recent weeks, leaving Nigerians searching for answers.
Shockingly, LPG terminal owners exacerbated the situation by implementing an astounding 66% price increase in October alone. A 20 metric-ton cylinder of cooking gas, which commenced the month at a cost of N10 million, skyrocketed to N16 million by the end of October, even though Nigeria LNG (NLNG) supplied gas at a significantly lower price of N9 million.
Our investigative market survey over the weekend revealed that a 12.5 kg cylinder of cooking gas is now fetching exorbitant prices on the black market, ranging from N13,500 to N14,000. Gas plant owners have claimed that they are unable to secure an adequate supply of gas, resulting in the sale of gas at prices between N1,100 and N1,200 per kilogram.
The impact of this crisis is acutely felt in Lagos and Katsina, where consumers are grappling with the soaring costs of cooking gas, all while an official explanation for the sudden shortage remains elusive. Sokoto residents are witnessing indiscriminate price hikes, while residents in Kaduna are left carrying their gas cylinders in a desperate quest for a refill. In Kano, panic-buying has driven up prices at filling stations, intensifying the hardship faced by consumers.
Although Abuja and Kwara have not reported LPG shortages, prices in these regions have also witnessed significant increases, further straining the wallets of consumers. The exact causes of this gas crisis remain uncertain, but the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, responsible for supplying 70% of the country’s cooking gas, remains optimistic that prices may begin to stabilize in the near future due to government intervention.
As Nigerians grapple with this dire shortage and skyrocketing prices, there is a growing sense of urgency for authorities to address the root causes of this crisis and provide relief to the beleaguered population. Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding situation.
