The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketers has made startling allegations against terminal operators, claiming they are responsible for frequent gas price hikes, exploitation, and restricted access for Nigerians. Speaking before the Senate, Oladapo Olatunbosun, the president of the association, argued that the Nigeria Natural Liquefied Gas consistently provides gas supply, but a select group of individuals has disrupted its availability to the public.
Olatunbosun did not mince words, referring to some of these individuals as “cabals” who procure gas at a low cost from the source and then resell it at significantly inflated prices to marketers. The impact of these practices has hit consumers hard, with gas prices soaring to as much as N1,200 per kilogram, rendering it unaffordable for a considerable portion of the Nigerian population.
Marketers are deeply concerned about the forex aspect being invoked to justify price hikes when, in reality, the transactions are conducted in naira. The consequences of this situation are dire. If not properly addressed, it is feared that the cost of a 12.5kg gas cylinder could skyrocket to N25,000 by December, effectively turning gas into a luxury item accessible only to the affluent.
The association is calling on the government to intervene, ensure equitable pricing, and guarantee that all Nigerians have access to this essential energy source. Furthermore, the marketers are alarmed by the low utilization of gas in Nigeria, primarily due to poverty and various other factors. This situation has led to a surge in deforestation as people resort to wood and charcoal for cooking.
Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, chairman of the Senate committee on gas, has vowed to address the issue and support measures to make gas more affordable and accessible to all Nigerians. He underscored the importance of ensuring that the cost of living remains reasonable for every citizen.