A nine per cent hike in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) (cooking gas) has added to the frustrations of Nigerians and thrown many into the energy poverty net.
Findings revealed that cooking gas prices shot up from N680 per kilogram to N745/N746 per kilogram at the weekend
LPG dealers noted that there was an upward review of prices effective September I in reaction to global hike in prices and other volatilities.
The hike is also consistent with the earlier notice from the President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGM), Olatunbosun Oladapo, who said Nigerians will pay more for cooking gas from mid-August 2023.
He also cited the surging international prices of gas, which in itself sprang from hike in crude oil prices, gas cylinders, high taxes, higher costs of vessels,
“The prices of vessels have gone up and taxes are high, but consumers are not earning more. Their purchasing power has gone down.
“Everybody is crying. Consumers, middlemen, and retailers are feeling the impact because business is now on the low side. The situation is very unfortunate because prices are going higher. Nigerian consumers are passing through very difficult times because they can no longer afford gas.
“Local taxes are worsening the problem. The government should come in and alleviate the suffering of the masses by providing palliatives and reducing taxes and levies”, Oladapo stated recently.
The new prices are: 50kg N37,000; 25kg N18,500; 20kg, N14,800; 15kg, N11,100; 12.5kg, N9,250; 10kg, N7,400; 6kg, N4,450; 5kg, N3,700 and 3kg for N2,250
Before the hike, the product was sold at 50kg, N34,000; 25kg N17,000; 20kg, N13,600; 15kg, N10,300; 12.5kg, N8,500; 10kg, N6,800; 6kg, N4,080; 5kg, N3,400 and 3kg for N2,040.
Families and food vendors who reacted to the new development described it as a death knell on their households and businesses.
Max Okechukwu, a caterer in Kubwa area of Abuja, said the development has become a major concern threatening his business and others alike.
“The high cost of LPG is already threatening us. 12.5kg is actually N9,600 at retailers’ end. Unless you’re going to queue at filling stations and you also have to factor in transport cost. It was about N8,600 in the last few days. The increase is high and sudden.
“Again, foodstuff and condiments are also high. Transportation is the same. There is no gain anymore. There are many things to consider and if you increase the price of your cooked meals, there could be customer rejection.
“You pay for electricity which is also very high.
“The noose on our necks should be loosened. We can’t breathe, he lamented.
Margaret Olatunji, a blogger and laundry business owner also lamented.
“My generator is powered by LPG but the incessant hike in the price is troubling. Electricity units are costly and burn fast but supply is steadily epileptic.
“The fuel subsidy removal is a plague designed to exterminate the poor and vulnerable but the government has left them shackled and fed with the illusion of a better tomorrow. There is no better tomorrow. The government is populated by selfish politicians. To survive, you must do something to reduce your energy and transportation costs because these two are fund guzzlers”, she stated. Culled from the Sun.
