In response to the mounting challenges in the supply and pricing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the domestic market, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has taken decisive action to address the concerns and ensure the well-being of the citizens.
The intervention comes on the heels of a significant increase in the price per kilogramme of cooking gas, soaring from around N700 to above N900 in various parts of the country over the past months.
The primary culprits behind this surge are the hurdles in obtaining foreign exchange for imports and the insufficient supply reaching the domestic market.
Expressing the concerns of President Bola Tinubu on the skyrocketing prices and the resulting hardships faced by the citizenry, Minister Ekpo, through his spokesperson Louis Ibah, emphasized the need for immediate intervention.
In a stern statement, the minister disapproved of multinational firms giving precedence to gas exports at the expense of allocating substantial volumes for the domestic market, deeming such a practice unacceptable.
He underscored Nigeria’s vast gas reserves and stressed the necessity of prioritizing the needs of the local populace.
Ekpo stated, “With the exponential increase in the price of LPG, there is the need for the Federal Government to intervene, and I am representing this at this moment.”
He acknowledged the challenges of importation and stressed the importance of public interest as the overarching concern for the government.
Anticipating an increased demand for LPG as the country approaches December, he called on producers to collaborate with the government to ensure the security of gas supply.
To address the pressing issues, the minister took a proactive step by establishing a committee tasked with providing recommendations within a week.
The committee’s focus is on devising strategies to enhance supplies and reduce pricing, ensuring stability and sufficiency of gas within the country.
The move underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of its citizens, acknowledging the pivotal role of cooking gas in households and the need for affordable access.
As the committee deliberates on solutions, the nation awaits a comprehensive plan to mitigate the challenges and usher in a period of stability and affordability in the cooking gas sector.
