𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐨 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐀𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚

Nigerians are beginning to experience some relief in the cost of cooking gas as retail prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) decline in several parts of the country following improved product availability and lower depot prices.

Industry operators say although prices still vary from one location to another due to transportation and distribution costs, the downward trend has become evident in many major cities after weeks of steady increases.

Current market prices show that cooking gas now sells between ₦1,100 and ₦1,350 per kilogramme in Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta. Consumers in Benin City, Port Harcourt and Warri pay between ₦1,150 and ₦1,400 per kilogramme, while prices in Onitsha and Enugu range from ₦1,200 to ₦1,450. In Abuja, the product sells for between ₦1,250 and ₦1,500 per kilogramme.

The National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Edu Inyang, explained that prices remain relatively higher in northern states due to transportation challenges.

According to him, residents of Kano and Kaduna currently pay between ₦1,300 and ₦1,550 per kilogramme, while consumers in Maiduguri and some North-East communities still pay as much as ₦1,650 per kilogramme.

Inyang attributed the price reduction to increased domestic production, improved import volumes, lower depot prices, stronger competition among marketers and the end of panic buying, which had previously disrupted supplies.

He noted that the national retail price currently ranges between ₦1,100 and ₦1,650 per kilogramme, although some retailers still charge higher rates because of logistics costs.

The latest development reverses the sharp increase recorded between May and June, when supply shortages pushed prices from an average of about ₦1,000 per kilogramme at the beginning of the year to as high as ₦2,400 per kilogramme in some locations.

At the current rates, refilling a 5kg cylinder now costs between ₦5,500 and ₦8,250, while a 6kg cylinder costs between ₦6,600 and ₦9,900.

Consumers refilling a 12.5kg cylinder are expected to pay between ₦13,750 and ₦20,625, depending on their location and the retailer.

Despite the decline, marketers cautioned that prices have not yet stabilised nationwide, noting that communities located far from major LPG depots may continue to pay more due to transportation costs.

They, however, expressed optimism that sustained supply from local producers and imports would further reduce prices if distribution remains uninterrupted.

The National Chairman of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Ayobami Olarinoye, also confirmed that supply has improved.

According to him, neighbourhood retailers currently purchase cooking gas from plant operators at between ₦1,300 and ₦1,500 per kilogramme and sell to consumers for between ₦1,600 and ₦1,800 per kilogramme, depending on location and operating costs.

He added that normalcy is gradually returning to the market following recent efforts to improve product availability.