The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream
Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify engagement with
producers, marketers and other stakeholders to achieve market stability of
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who said
this on Monday, also directed producers, marketers and other stakeholders to
sustain the supply of LPG, commonly known as cooking gas.
Ekpo gave the directive while addressing concerns over the persistent rise in the
price of LPG across the country. The minister said marketers had committed to
increasing import volumes to complement domestic production. He said
deliveries from Seplat Energy’s new gas facility, expected to commence in July,
would significantly boost national LPG supply.
He added that the recent price adjustments were driven largely by prevailing
market realities such as foreign exchange volatility, rising logistics costs,
infrastructure constraints and fluctuations in international LPG prices. He said
these factors should not be misinterpreted as evidence of policy failure.
The minister also confirmed that no producer was exporting LPG volumes
designated for the domestic market, as regulatory measures remain firmly in
place to prioritise local needs.
He reassured Nigerians that the Federal Government remained fully committed
to ensuring adequate, reliable and affordable gas supply for households,
industries and power generation across the country.
Cooking gas currently sells at N2,000 per kg in roadside retail outlets while
major marketers, such as NIPCO, sell at N1,600 per kg. Nigerians had
expressed worry and dissatisfaction about the hardship caused by the recent
development, and urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address
the situation.
