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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Nigeria Denies LPG Exports Amid Domestic Price Surge

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Nigerian government official denied claims that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is being exported, stating a ban remains in force.
  • The clarification follows concerns from retailers about scarcity and high prices attributed to potential exports.
  • The government insists all locally produced LPG is focused on meeting domestic demand.

Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has firmly denied allegations that locally produced cooking gas is being exported, asserting that a ban on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) exports remains strictly enforced. This statement comes amid growing concerns from cooking gas retailers about persistent scarcity and soaring prices across the country.

The ban on exports of LPG announced by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, is still in place to stabilise prices and is strictly enforced by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

— Louis IbahSpokesperson for the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), clarifying the government's stance on LPG exports.

Retailers, through their association chairman Ayobami Olarinoye, had voiced fears that profitable exports to West African buyers were exacerbating domestic supply issues. Olarinoye told The PUNCH that limited product availability and alleged exports by a local refinery were worsening the situation. However, Louis Ibah, spokesperson for the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), dismissed these claims.

It’s important to note that none of our producers are currently exporting the LPG meant for cooking in Nigeria, so all resources are focused on meeting our local needs.

— Louis IbahSpokesperson for the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), emphasizing the focus on domestic supply.

"The ban on exports of LPG announced by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, is still in place to stabilise prices and is strictly enforced by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)," Ibah stated. He emphasized that no local producers are permitted to export LPG, with all resources directed towards fulfilling Nigeria's internal needs.

Getting the product has been excruciatingly difficult, and it is not readily available.

— Ayobami OlarinoyeChairman of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association, describing the challenges retailers face in obtaining cooking gas.

Despite the government's assurances, retailers report extreme difficulty in accessing cooking gas. "Getting the product has been excruciatingly difficult, and it is not readily available," Olarinoye said, noting that only one or two out of ten plants typically have products for retailers. He warned that prices are unlikely to decrease soon without government intervention. The LPG Retailers Association has called for incentives to encourage new investors and boost local supply, while the NMDPRA confirmed it is working with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other stakeholders to improve availability.

The high price may remain the way it is until the situation changes positively.

— Ayobami OlarinoyeChairman of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association, warning about the potential persistence of high prices.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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