Nigerians are grappling with an acute shortage of cooking gas across major cities, with prices skyrocketing to record highs in recent days.
Many gas stations across the country have reportedly run out of stock, while those still selling are charging significantly higher rates, leaving consumers frustrated and struggling to cope.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Bassey Essien, attributed the current scarcity to the recent nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which disrupted distribution and supply chains.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery is currently the highest local supplier of cooking gas in Nigeria. The crisis involving PENGASSAN scuttled distribution. Many dealers could not replenish their stocks during the period,” Essien explained in an interview with Vanguard.
He noted that the shortage is largely a result of demand outpacing supply, but expressed optimism that the situation would improve soon.
“Supply would likely stabilise in the coming days following the resolution of the conflict,” he added.
As of this week, the price of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas has surged to about ₦25,000, up from ₦17,500 the previous week. Meanwhile, 1kg of gas now sells for between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000, depending on location.
Consumers nationwide are calling on the government to intervene and address the recurring instability in the cooking gas market.