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Awka households lament soaring cooking gas prices, demand government’s intervention
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Awka households lament soaring cooking gas prices, demand government’s intervention

From Premium Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Residents of Awka, Anambra State, are protesting the "outrageous" price increases for cooking gas, urging government intervention.
  • The price of 1 kg of cooking gas has surged from ₦1,050 to between ₦1,800 and ₦2,000 in six months, impacting household budgets.
  • Business owners and civil servants are concerned about the economic burden, with some resorting to firewood and charcoal, and others facing significant increases in their monthly expenses.

Residents in Awka, Anambra State, are calling for urgent government intervention to address the "outrageous" surge in cooking gas prices. The cost of cooking gas has become a significant burden for households, prompting appeals for action from authorities.

At the beginning of this year, one kg of cooking gas was sold for ₦1,050; the price later rose to ₦1,150 and from there to ₦1,200, before it got to ₦1,500. As we speak, the price now hovers between ₦1,800 and ₦2,000 depending on your location.

— Raphael OkaforCEO of Ricolen Enterprise Nigeria, detailing the price increase of cooking gas.

Raphael Okafor, CEO of Ricolen Enterprise Nigeria, a local gas retail outlet, reported that the price of 1 kg of cooking gas has dramatically increased from ₦1,050 at the beginning of the year to its current range of ₦1,800 to ₦2,000. This instability has severely affected his business, with some customers switching to firewood and charcoal.

Government should brainstorm to find a lasting solution to this cooking gas problem; whether it is shortage as a result of inadequate production or sabotage from the distributors and marketers, action should be taken to stabilise the price.

— Raphael OkaforCEO of Ricolen Enterprise Nigeria, calling for government investigation and action.

Okafor stressed the need for the government to investigate the factors behind the price hikes, whether they stem from production shortages or market manipulation. He highlighted the substantial economic impact on consumers, noting the environmental drawbacks of using traditional cooking fuels.

For my family of six, we use a 12.5kg cylinder for about two months and spending about ₦25,000 to buy cooking gas, in addition to other domestic bills, is a serious burden.

— Chindimma OkoyeA civil servant in Awka, describing the financial strain of rising gas prices.

Civil servants like Chindimma Okoye and Uju Igbelina shared their struggles. Okoye, with a family of six, now spends approximately ₦25,000 for a 12.5kg cylinder, a substantial increase that strains their budget. Igbelina noted even higher prices in nearby Nise. Another resident, Ukamaka Ufelle, reported buying a 12.5kg cylinder for ₦25,000, up from ₦17,500 in April, adding to the challenges of feeding their families.

the cost of cooking gas and foodstuffs in markets was becoming beyond the reach of most Nigerians.

— Chinedu UwguokeA businessman lamenting the rising cost of essential goods.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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