By Hosea Parah
Despite significant drop in the prices of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are still struggling with the prices of the cooking gas.
Currently sold for between N1,250 and N1,650 per kilogramme, depending on location and point of purchase, the prevailing prices mean consumers now spend between N6,250 and N8,250 to refill a 5kg cylinder, while a 12.5kg cylinder costs between N15,625 and N20,625.
Although the prices represent a significant drop from earlier in the year, when LPG sold for close to N2,000 per kilogramme in some parts of the FCT, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that residents said the commodity remained too expensive for many households.
Major gas outlets and depots generally offer lower prices, while some roadside retailers sell at considerably higher rates.
An Abuja resident, Innocent Emmanuel, a public servant in Gudu, said the reduction had offered some relief but remained insufficient.
“Although the price has come down, it is still expensive for ordinary families. Many people now buy smaller quantities because they cannot afford to fill their cylinders at once,” he said.
Elizabeth Tanko, a resident of Lugbe, appealed for measures that would ensure sustained price stability.
“We have seen prices come down before, only for them to rise again. What consumers need is a stable price so that we can plan our household expenses,” she said.
A businesswoman in Kubwa, Zainab Isiaka, said the cost of cooking gas remained a major burden amid rising food and transportation expenses.
“We are happy that the price is no longer around N2,000 per kg, but even at N1,300 it is still a lot for families that are struggling,” she said.
Similarly, Eteka Eyo, a civil servant in Wuye, urged the government to increase domestic gas production and strengthen distribution networks.
“If there is enough gas in the country, there should be no reason for the price to remain this high. We need policies that will make the product available and affordable,” he said.
Energy expert Chris Mordi attributed the recent decline largely to improved product availability and easing supply constraints in the downstream market.
According to him, increased supply has reduced pressure on depot prices, with the impact gradually filtering through the distribution chain.
He, however, warned that transportation and logistics costs, distribution margins, exchange-rate movements and the sustainability of domestic LPG supply could determine whether consumers enjoy further reductions.
Mordi said prices could fall further if improved supply is sustained and there are no major disruptions in the upstream or import-supply chain.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has stepped up efforts to address the persistent rise in LPG prices.
On June 22, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, directed a clampdown on marketers allegedly involved in the hoarding and diversion of LPG.
He also directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), regulators and security agencies to intensify market surveillance and sanction operators found manipulating the market.
The minister said the government was working to increase domestic LPG supply, reduce dependence on imports and prioritise locally produced gas for domestic consumption.
He also disclosed plans for a local LPG blending initiative involving Nigeria LNG Limited, local producers and the operator of the Port Harcourt plant, aimed at reducing logistics costs and improving supply stability.
The NMDPRA had earlier identified global supply disruptions and price volatility linked to the Israel-Iran conflict, low import volumes, inadequate domestication of local LPG production, poor distribution infrastructure and logistics challenges among factors behind the price surge.
For consumers across the FCT, the expectation remains clear: a sustained reduction in cooking gas prices and reliable access to affordable clean cooking fuel.