By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Nigerians have lamented the recent spike in the price of cooking gas, which has surged to between N1,300 and N2,000 per kilogramme in many parts of the country from around N1,000/kg a
few weeks ago.
According to reports, a 12.5kg cooking gas cylinder costs between N17,000 and N18,750 to refill. A kilogramme is said to cost between N1,350 and N1,500 in some parts of the city like Wuse, Garki, and Kubwa.
In Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states in the south western part of the country, the product soared from the previous price of around N1,000 to between N1,300 and N1,800/kg at the weekend.
This is even as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited blamed the increase in the price on a temporary disruption to loading and distribution during the strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this while speaking to State House correspondents on Sunday, after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Ojulari said the strike, which was due to the sacking of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery, affected operations while it lasted, leading to an increase in the price of cooking gas.
He, however, assured of a return to normalcy in a few days following the suspension of the strike on October 1 after the Federal Government’s intervention.
Ojulari said, “The increase you saw was relatively artificial because for the period of the strike, movements and loading were delayed by about two, three days.
“And because of that, you see that impact. As things return back to normal, it takes some time for distribution to be fully restored.”
For many Nigerians, the spike in cooking gas prices signals another layer of hardship, as they take to social media to lament the impact of the surge on their finances.
In tweets on X (formerly Twitter), Nigerians shared how much cooking gas currently costs in their locations compared to a few weeks ago.
@Munachi35 tweeted, “Cooking gas is now 2,000 naira for 1kg, another sign of crazy December.”
@CyrusAgbo wrote, “I just bought 12.5kg of gas for N31,250, that’s approximately N2,500. per kg. In my actual lifetime. What is happening in Nigeria ???????”
@MasterBolaji said, “Cooking gas hits N1,700 per kg here. PENGASSAN, see what you caused.”
Reacting to the news, @KemKemCrypt tweeted, “What! The last time i bought it was 1.2k just two weeks ago. Dear Mr. President have mercy on Nigerians. “
@alphagODandKING wrote, “Cooking gas in Nigeria just hit N1,800/kg, looks like even boiling water is now a luxury.”
Also, @bimbimvibes tweeted, “I bought on Saturday for N1,080 and filled my 6kg gas.. today wey I wan fill my 12kg e don high.”
With the reported increase in the price of cooking gas, some other Nigerians said they may have to resort to using firewood for their cooking.
@JohnJohn706 wrote, “Nigeria is moving back to old days when firework (firewood) is only option for cooking.”
@JAMESCALDW61117 tweeted, “I have warned all these people that own empty land in my area where I go and fetch firewood not to build anything till further notice.”
Also, lending a voice, @devNED queried, “Make we begin use firewood?”
