The Nigerian Government has directed regulatory and security agencies to intensify efforts against the diversion, hoarding and illegal storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in a bid to stabilise prices and ensure adequate supply nationwide.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, issued the directive during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on Monday to address the recent increase in cooking gas prices across the country.
Describing the rising cost of LPG as a matter of national concern, Ekpo said the trend was placing considerable pressure on households, small businesses and the wider economy. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to easing the burden on Nigerians.
The minister directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to strengthen market surveillance, develop a robust pricing framework and sanction operators involved in activities that distort the market.
He also urged the Authority to collaborate closely with the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force to eliminate artificial scarcity and ensure the seamless distribution of LPG across the country.
“We have directed the NMDPRA to intensify monitoring, engage operators and work with security agencies to discourage hoarding, eliminate artificial scarcity and promote transparency in distribution and pricing,” Ekpo stated.
On supply, the minister disclosed that marketers had expressed readiness to increase imports, while anticipated deliveries from new domestic facilities, including the Seplat gas facility, were expected to boost supply in the coming weeks.
According to him, the government is also exploring a local blending initiative involving Nigeria LNG Limited, domestic producers and depot owners to improve supply, reduce reliance on imports and enhance price stability.
“There is no cause for panic. The Government remains committed to ensuring an adequate domestic gas supply and advancing the Decade of Gas Initiative as a pathway to cleaner cooking, industrial growth and energy security,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Rabiu Umar, revealed that the Authority had launched an enforcement campaign targeting pricing and supply-chain practices. He warned that operators responsible for excessive price increases would face sanctions.
“We will be far more aggressive in ensuring that no factor is allowed to keep prices at excessively high levels. We expect to see a significant improvement in supply and a reduction in prices before the end of next month,” Umar said.
The meeting brought together representatives of major gas suppliers, marketers, distributors and consumer groups, including the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) and the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM).
