Nigerians have raised concerns over the continuous rise in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, which has significantly affected their purchasing power. Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that the steep prices are making daily living increasingly difficult.
According to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas surged by nearly 5% in September, with prices ranging from N15,750 to N18,750. This marks a sharp increase from the N12,500 to N13,000 range observed in June and July. The average cost for a 5kg refill has also seen a notable rise, pushing consumers to make hard choices.
READ ALSO
Federal Government Launches Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative to Support Mass Transit
Residents like Mr. Nnamdi Opara, a businessman, expressed the need to cut down on gas usage, opting to fill smaller quantities like 5kg to manage household expenses. Similarly, civil servant Mrs. Memunat Ogunyemi shared how many Nigerians, including her family, have reverted to traditional cooking methods such as charcoal due to the high cost of gas.
The situation has worsened for families like that of nurse Mrs. Ella Joshua, who struggles to afford even a partial refill of her gas cylinder. She and many others are urging the government to intervene as rising prices on essentials like food, transportation, and even charcoal compound the economic strain.
