COOKING GAS PRICES STAY ELEVATED DESPITE IMPROVED SUPPLY, CONSUMERS LAMENT

Despite reports of improved supply and increased local production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, prices have remained stubbornly high, leaving many Nigerian households struggling.

Industry sources attribute the sustained high cost to factors including high import dependency for certain components, distribution challenges, and rising operational expenses for marketers. While the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has noted better availability at depots, the benefit is yet to fully reflect at the retail level.

A 12.5kg cylinder, which sold for significantly lower amounts earlier in the year, continues to hover around elevated price points in major cities, forcing many families to revert to firewood and other less healthy alternatives.

Consumers have expressed frustration, calling on the government to intervene through targeted subsidies or stricter monitoring of the supply chain. Energy experts suggest that accelerating domestic gas production and improving logistics infrastructure could help stabilise prices in the medium term.

The Federal Government has previously assured citizens of plans to boost local refining and distribution to ease the burden. However, until these measures yield tangible results, the average household continues to bear the brunt of high energy costs.