Hope for Households as Cooking Gas Price Hike to End Next Week, Minister Assures
The soaring price of cooking gas (Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LPG) that has put a severe strain on household budgets across Nigeria is expected to subside next week, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
The Minister has assured Nigerians that the recent, sharp price increase is temporary and that prices will soon normalise as domestic supply improves dramatically.
Supply Shocks Sparked Price Jump
In recent weeks, the price of a kilogram of cooking gas has skyrocketed from a relatively stable \text{₦}1,000–\text{₦}1,100 to as high as \text{₦}1,500–\text{₦}1,700 in some parts of the country, sparking widespread concern among families and small business owners.
According to a press statement released by the Minister’s spokesman, Louis Ibah, the surge was directly attributed to two major, but now resolved, supply disruptions,
An industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the Dangote Refinery.
Ongoing maintenance work at the Nigeria LNG Train 4 facility in Bonny.
“These disruptions led to a shortfall in supply and a consequent increase in prices due to the demand supply imbalance,” the statement clarified.
Relief is Already on the Way
Minister Ekpo, however, provided a strong assurance that the situation is already on a path to recovery.
He confirmed that operations at the Dangote Refinery have resumed, with LPG loading to the domestic market now underway. Additionally, the Bonny River Terminal operated by Seplat Energy has also commenced loading.
Crucially, Nigeria LNG is gradually restoring normal operations as the maintenance on the Train 4 facility nears completion.
“With these developments, supply to the domestic market is expected to stabilise by next week, leading to a gradual reduction in prices,” the Minister stated, appealing for calm and understanding from the public.
Warning to Marketers
While reiterating that the LPG market remains deregulated, the Minister used the platform to issue a stern warning to industry players.
He appealed to marketers, distributors, and other stakeholders in the LPG value chain to “be patriotic in their dealings, desist from hoarding, and refrain from exploiting consumers for profit.”
To enforce this, Minister Ekpo has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify monitoring of LPG depots nationwide. This measure is intended to prevent product hoarding and other unethical practices that could worsen the situation for consumers.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to its long-term goal: “The Federal Government remains committed to ensuring sufficient and affordable gas supply to every home across Nigeria.”
As the government promises stability within a week, Nigerians are now watching closely, hoping that the assurances from the Minister’s office will soon translate into tangible relief and lower prices at filling plants and neighbourhood outlets.
