Nigerian families, apparently forced by circumstances, are shifting to ‘dirty fuel’ like saw dust and charcoal, as the price of cooking gas aka Liguefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) continues to rise beyond reach.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for instance, the price of LPG increased from an average of N4,800 for a 12.5kg cylinder in June to about N7500-N8000 in October.
In Lagos, two persons who bought gas between early and mid-October said they paid N6,400 and N7,200 respectively. The price was below N5,000 in June, they said.
The 10.5 kg of gas costs N6,300 to N6,500 in Abuja. Ditto in Lagos.
A resident of Port Harcourt, Johnson Wogu, said he bought 10.5kg at N6,000 in late September.
According to warnings by gas marketers, the 12.5kg of gas might hit N10,000 in the coming weeks.
Sarah Adejo, who lives in Piwoyi, Abuja, said she has bought charcoal stove to cook her food, especially beans which takes a long time to cook.
“I don’t cook beans with gas anymore. I bought a charcoal stove and I use it to cook food that takes time to cook, like beans,” she said.
Yetunde Alade is a mother of three who lives in Mpape, Abuja. She is considering the same option as Adejo and said it has been difficult keeping up with the steady increase in the price of the product.
A caterer, Ebere Onyeali, said she has resorted to using charcoal for her cooking, stressing that most of her customers would not be able to pay above N400 per plate of food if she raises the price in response to the cost of cooking gas.
“Charcoal is cheaper for me. The only difference is that I have to wake up very early to cook because charcoal takes a longer time to get the food done.”
She urged the government to come up with incentives to ensure that the price of cooking gas is affordable by the average family.
Another Abuja resident, Usman Aliyu, said he has switched over to sawdust, which he could easily buy with N1,000.
Chidimma Okoye, who owns a sports centre in Kubwa, Abuja, said she could no longer cope with the cost of cooking gas, and has switchover ed to charcoal.
“I have seven kids and all of them bathe with hot water every day before going to school. How do I cope with the increase in the price of gas? People are no longer buying my goods the way they used to. Moreover, these kids have to eat beans for they’re still growing up,” he said.
Obiageli Okparaku said 75kg bag of charcoal sells for N3500, and would last the family more than three months.
“The charcoal is better. However, I will still need to wake up earlier than I used to, to ensure my food gets done on time,” she said.
President of the National Association of Liquified Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr. Bassey Essien, who spoke in a recent symposium, had expressed worry that more Nigerians are gradually being forced to return to coal, sawdust, kerosene, and other dirty fuels, a situation he said has severe environmental implications.
Gas marketers see lower patronage
The increase also threatens to put several gas suppliers out of business due to the extra financial burden and declining client base.
Chika Richard manages a gas station in Lugbe. A kilogram (kg) of cooking gas costs N600 at his facility. He sells a 5kg cylinder for N3000 and a 12.5kg cylinder for N7500.
Richard had sold a kilogram of gas at N4800 in the first half of this year. It had increased to N416/kg in June with a 12.5kg cylinder going for N5200. The price increased again in July and seemed to have maintained a steady rise since then.
“In July, there was an increase to N476 for 1kg, making 12.5kg N5950. It increased again to N512 in September,” he said.
He said he did not understand the reason behind the increase and noted that business had been slow in recent times.
“Customers are complaining a lot, especially those that use it for business. With the increase, the sales are reducing because many people can no longer afford the price. Now, when customers come, most of them are not happy. They ask the cause for the increase and I don’t know what the cause is,” he said.
In Apo, Chinedu Raymond has a shop by the roadside where he sells cooking gas. He has also recorded a decrease in sales as customers now buy in lesser quantities than they used to.
“The price I sell each kg is N700. But if you are going for 12.5 kg, it goes for N8000. The 6kg is N4000 and 5kg is N3500. It has been a bit challenging because people no longer feel free to buy the way they used to buy. Some who used to buy full cylinders are now reducing it to half or less than that,” he said.
Reason for increase
The devaluation of naira has left a negative impact on the price of LPG as a large quantity of cooking gas used in Nigeria is imported, despite the country being a gas-endowed nation.
– Media Report