FG Moves To Calm Cooking Gas Price Fears As Supply Boost Looms
By KUFRE UDO
FG Reassures Nigerians Amid Rising Cooking Gas Prices
Public Concerns Grow Over LPG Cost Increases
THE Federal Government has moved to reassure Nigerians following growing public concern over the recent increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, insisting that the country’s supply outlook remains positive despite current market pressures.
The assurance came from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, who acknowledged the hardship created by rising LPG prices but maintained that government interventions were already being implemented to stabilise the market and protect consumers.
According to the minister, the administration remains committed to ensuring that households, businesses and industries have access to adequate and reliable gas supplies as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security.
Domestic Supply Prioritisation Policy
Central to the government’s strategy is a directive requiring that LPG produced within Nigeria be prioritised for domestic consumption before consideration is given to other markets.
Officials say the policy has helped improve local availability, reduce dependence on imported products and strengthen the resilience of the domestic LPG market against external shocks.
The minister noted that the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s determination to deepen domestic utilisation of Nigeria’s vast gas resources while reducing exposure to international supply disruptions.
Industry stakeholders have argued that increasing local consumption remains essential to achieving the country’s energy transition objectives and reducing reliance on more environmentally harmful cooking fuels.
Factors Driving the Price Increase
Despite efforts to stabilise supply, authorities acknowledged that several economic realities continue to exert pressure on LPG pricing.
Among the factors identified are foreign exchange volatility, increasing transportation and logistics costs, infrastructure challenges across the supply chain and fluctuations in international LPG prices.
Government officials stressed that these conditions are largely market-driven and should not be interpreted as evidence of failure in policy implementation.
Analysts note that Nigeria’s LPG market remains influenced by both domestic and global economic conditions, making prices sensitive to changes in exchange rates and international energy markets.
New Measures to Stabilise the Market
As part of efforts to cushion consumers from further increases, the minister directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify engagement with producers, marketers and other stakeholders in the gas value chain.
The objective, according to the ministry, is to sustain product availability, improve distribution efficiency and prevent avoidable disruptions in supply.
In addition, marketers have reportedly committed to increasing import volumes where necessary to complement domestic production and maintain market balance.
Industry observers believe coordinated action among regulators, producers and distributors will be crucial in preventing shortages and ensuring that rising demand is adequately met.
Seplat Facility Expected to Boost National Supply
The government also expressed optimism that the commencement of LPG deliveries from the new Seplat gas facility scheduled for July would significantly increase national supply levels.
Officials believe the additional volumes entering the market will improve availability and contribute to greater price stability over time.
The minister further dismissed concerns that domestic LPG designated for Nigerian consumers was being diverted for export, insisting that regulatory mechanisms remain firmly in place to protect local demand.
Outlook Remains Positive
While acknowledging current challenges, the Federal Government maintained that the long-term outlook for Nigeria’s LPG sector remains encouraging.
Authorities said ongoing investments in gas infrastructure, domestic supply initiatives and regulatory oversight are expected to improve affordability and strengthen the country’s energy security framework.
The government pledged to continue monitoring developments in the sector and implementing measures designed to enhance access to cleaner cooking energy for millions of Nigerians.
