Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), has directed authorities to crack down on marketers hoarding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or exploiting consumers, following a sharp rise in cooking gas prices.
The minister’s spokesman, Louis Ibah, announced this in a statement on Monday.Cooking gas prices recently doubled from N1,000 per kilogram to about N2,000/kg in some areas, triggered by a strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) during its dispute with the Dangote refinery.
Despite the strike’s resolution nearly two weeks ago, prices remain high, and supply shortages persist.Ekpo attributed the price hike to two key issues: the PENGASSAN strike, which disrupted LPG loading at the Dangote refinery, and ongoing maintenance at the Nigeria LNG Train 4 facility, which reduced domestic gas supply.
These disruptions caused a supply-demand imbalance, driving up prices.The minister assured Nigerians that the situation is temporary and expected to stabilize by next week.
Operations at the Dangote refinery have resumed, with LPG loading already underway. Seplat Energy’s Bonny River Terminal has also begun loading, and NLNG is nearing completion of its maintenance, gradually restoring normal supply.
Ekpo urged marketers and distributors in the deregulated LPG market to act responsibly, avoid hoarding, and refrain from exploiting consumers.
He has instructed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to intensify monitoring of LPG depots nationwide to curb hoarding and other practices exacerbating the situation.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring an affordable and sufficient gas supply for all Nigerian households.
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