Scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas also known as cooking gas has hit Lagos and some other states in the country.
The other affected states, according to findings by our correspondents are: Katsina, Sokoto, Delta, Kaduna and Kano.
The rise in price of the commodity has been noticed since late last month, causing a continuous rise in prices.
Market survey carried out by The PUNCH over the weekend, revealed that 12.5kg of cooking gas now sells for between N13,500 and N14,000 at the black market.
Some of the traders told our correspondents that gas plant owners now sell to them at between N1100-N1200 per 1kg as they could not access enough quantity.
As of June, the price of 12.5kg was around N8,700. In September price rose to N10,200, and as of Saturday, price had again risen to between N13,500-N14,000.
In a chat with President, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Oladapo Olatunbosun on Sunday, The PUNCH learnt that there is currently not enough cooking gas in Lagos state.
Our correspondent in Katsina also reported scarcity of cooking gas in the state.
According to findings, the scarcity was first observed about two weeks ago as several small retailers complained of non-availability. Investigation has also shown that a kilogram of cooking gas goes for nothing less than N1,400 in the state. No official reason had been given for the scarcity.
Scarcity of cooking gas has also been noticed in Sokoto metropolis in the last few days, leading to prices being increased indiscriminately.
Our correspondent in Kaduna reported that residents were spotted carrying their cylinders in search of the commodity as of Sunday. Findings showed that a retail price of 5 kilogram went for N5,500.
In the neighbouring Kano state, our correspondent disclosed that the resurfacing of scarcity of cooking was noticed, as residents are engaging in panic buying of the commodity.
Following the scarcity, marketers have jacked up prices as one kilogram of cooking gas is now being sold at N850 in some filling stations while others sold it between N900 and N950 per kilogram. Long queues of buyers are now common feature at most of filling stations dispensing the commodity.
At other outlets (black market) the price is between N1,110 per kilo and N1,200 per kg.
In Delta State, investigations by our correspondent in Warri and Effurun show that the price of cooking gas has shot up to N1,100 per kg as of Sunday, 5th November, 2023.
The commodity was selling at N800 per kg in October in the twin cities.
When questioned on the rationale for the price increase, a popular gas dealer in Warri identified as Igho, could not explain the cause.
In Abuja, a resident of Karu, in AMAC Area Council of Abuja, Roy, told our correspondent that while there was no scarcity of cooking gas in his vicinity, his experience was a mix of liquefied gas and pure gas, which no longer lasted as long as it used to.
“So for me, the problem I’m having is it liquefies. So insted of having the normal gas, you end up with like seventy percent gas, and thirty percent liquid that’s inside the cylinder, for whatever you buy.
So initially we were not even aware, until we noticed that when we shake the cylinder, it’s always leaving the liquefied part under. So it ends within like two or three weeks before the normal period when it should last”, he said.
Another resident, Sandra, told our correspondent that there was no scarcity of cooking gas, but noted that it had become expensive.
“I bought gas today at Abacha road in Mararaba. 12.5kg for N13,500. I wouldn’t say there is scarcity, just that it has become expensive”, she said.
Agreeing, another Kubwa resident, Cecilia, said, “It’s not scarce in my area, there’s just a price increase. I bought last Wednesday at N1,000 per Kg. Plus it doesn’t last as long as it used to”.
Punch investigation in Kwara, however showed that the commodity is available in most of the filling stations.
A dealer operating an outlet at Gaa Odota in Ilorin identified as chief Sunday Oladele told our correspondent that gas was available at his outlet adding that a kilogram was being sold at N1,200.
“Cooking gas is available in Kwara state. I have it in my outlet which I sell at N1,200 per kg. We have not experienced scarcity in Kwara. There is also gas at Ogbomoso in Oyo state where I have another outlet and it is being sold at N1,100 per kg.
The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited currently supplies the market 70 per cent of the cooking gas being consumed in-country, according to Olatunbosun.
There are claims that Nigeria had the fastest growing LPG sector in the world with a projected LPG market size of $10bn, as the annual per capita consumption of LPG had risen from 1.8kilogramme in 2015 to 5kg in 2021. According to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, domestic consumption of cooking gas exceeded 1 million MT in 2020. It said the consumption rate made 2020 the first year in the nation’s history when LPG consumption reached the 1 million MT thresholds.
Punch
