Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, announced that the Federal Government is committed to reducing the increasing cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas.
On Monday, during the Decade of Gas Initiative, the minister made this statement as the initiative began distributing gas cylinders to around 300 women in Lagos State.
According to NEWS REVIEW, the price of a kilogram of cooking gas, which had decreased to about N1,000 in June and July, has now risen to N1,300 in some areas.
Currently, refilling a 12kg cylinder costs between N16,000 and N17,000, compared to N12,000 a few weeks ago.
In response to this price surge, Ekpo stated that he would convene a meeting with regulators and gas producers to explore ways to reduce the cost.
“I received information this morning that the price of cooking gas is rising again.
My next step is to invite the regulators and producers for a discussion. Our goal is to bring down the price to make it more affordable,” Ekpo said.
He emphasized the importance of energy security, which involves ensuring both affordability and availability. “We will identify the factors driving the price increase and work to reduce it,” he added.
Ekpo also highlighted that the distribution of cylinders is part of the government’s initiative to provide 1 million homes with access to clean cooking by 2030.
President Bola Tinubu approved this initiative, demonstrating his concern for the health of Nigerians.
Ekpo encouraged women to switch from using firewood, kerosene, and charcoal to LPG, noting that it is cleaner, safer, and better for the environment.
He urged the women not to sell the cylinders, assuring them that gas would be available at a more affordable rate.
“Don’t worry about the current situation. We are working with relevant sectors to bring down the price. Please be patient, work with the government, and the government will work for a better future,” Ekpo emphasized.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, advised the beneficiaries to use the cylinders wisely and stop cooking with firewood.
Represented by his aide, Professor Babatunde Bolaji, Akume pointed out that using firewood leads to deforestation and health risks, including miscarriages.
He also assured that the price of cooking gas would decrease as the Federal Government is working to end gas flaring, which will increase the country’s gas supply.
Mr. Ed Ebong, Coordinator of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, stated that 250,000 cylinders would be distributed annually until 2030.
He noted that Monday’s event in Lagos marked the beginning of the LPG penetration program in the South-West, with the team scheduled to move to Akwa-Ibom on Tuesday.
, Ekperikpe Ekpo, announced that the Federal Government is committed to reducing the increasing cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas.){kind=link}