Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The cost of filling cooking gas also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has drastically increased across the country.
This has, been blamed on Russian- Ukrainian war that has caused a lot of disruption to the supply chain of the product.
The Nigeria LNG which has been very active in the production and supply of the commodity cannot produce all that is needed domestically. The larger chunk of the LPG needed in the country is imported and because of this, it has fallen victim to this war which nobody can predict when it is going to end.
Another thing responsible for the increase in the price of LPG is the issue of foreign exchange. The Naira has been highly devalued. This has therefore affected the local price.
In the retail market, 12.5 Kg cylinder ranges between N11,000 and 12,000 depending on where it is purchased. This is higher than the N9000per unit cost of 12.5KG about a month ago.
Major importers of LPG in the country are also struggling with foreign exchange to purchase the commodity. In many parts of Lagos, the price of 12.5kg is N11,000. While in Ibadan, a 6kg cylinder has hit N4000. This was sold at about N 1,500 and N2000 before.
In Enugu, The prices of various categories of gas cylinders have increased. In Awkunanaw area of the state, several retail outlets sell a kilogram of gas between N780 and N800 as against the former price of N720 and N750.
However, a mini gas depot in the same area sells the product at a reduced price of N725 per kilo; two kilograms go for N1500; while a 2.5kg goes for N1900 and three kilograms for N2,250. Another gas depot in the Top Land area, Solution Gas Depot sells three kilograms of gas at N2,600 while five kilograms goes for N3, 600.
As regards the difference in Prices, A seller, Ugochukwu Nweze explained that the price was not constant and could change anytime.
“Even today, this price can change again it depends on where you buy your product. If you buy from a depot that is far from your shop, you have to add transportation and every other cost, probably that is the reason for different prices,” he said.
Across the country, the prices of different kilogram bottles have risen by a very large amount.
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