Abuja Residents Turn to Firewood, Charcoal as Cooking Gas Prices Skyrocket

The escalating cost of cooking gas in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is forcing a significant shift back to traditional fuels, with residents and businesses in Abuja increasingly turning to firewood and charcoal. The price of cooking gas has surged dramatically in recent months, climbing from approximately N1,200 per kilogram to a staggering N2,000 per kilogram.

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Refilling my gas cylinder became difficult because the price kept rising. I could no longer afford it and still make reasonable profit. Right now, 12.5kg of LPG goes for N25,000.

Industry insiders attribute this sharp increase to a combination of factors, including persistent supply shortages, elevated depot costs, the impact of foreign exchange pressures on imports, and rising transportation expenses. These economic headwinds are making it increasingly difficult for consumers to afford the convenience of cooking gas.

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It has affected a lot; my profit margin has reduced. The government should help and bring the price back to normal.

Many households and small businesses are finding the new prices unsustainable. Food vendors, in particular, are feeling the pinch. Mrs. Mayo Akinpelu, a food vendor in Gwarimpa, stated that the rising cost made it impossible to maintain profitability, forcing her to switch to firewood and charcoal. "Refilling my gas cylinder became difficult because the price kept rising. I could no longer afford it and still make reasonable profit," she explained, noting that a 12.5kg cylinder now costs N25,000.

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I filled my cylinder at N1,600 per kg the last time, but when I went back yesterday, the price had risen to N2,000 per kg.

While acknowledging that firewood and charcoal are less convenient, vendors like Akinpelu and Ms. Victory Samson in Dutse emphasize that these alternatives are crucial for reducing costs and keeping their businesses operational. Samson highlighted the significant reduction in her profit margin, appealing to the government for price stabilization. Similarly, Mrs. Grace Oluwatimilehin in Kubwa expressed shock at the rapid price increase, having recently paid N1,600 per kg only to find it at N2,000 per kg shortly after. She now relies on electric hot plates and charcoal. Mrs. Abike Ojo, a mother of one, echoed these concerns, warning that continued price hikes could lead her to abandon gas cooking altogether due to its prohibitive cost.

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The increase has affected business because people’s purchasing power has dropped significantly.