FCT residents seek reduction in price of cooking gas

As cooking gas prices drop slightly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), residents are urging the federal government to enhance its intervention to ensure further price reductions. The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that a significant reduction in prices would help alleviate some of the challenges faced […]

As cooking gas prices drop slightly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), residents are urging the federal government to enhance its intervention to ensure further price reductions.

The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that a significant reduction in prices would help alleviate some of the challenges faced by Nigerians.

NAN reports that 1 kg of cooking gas is currently sold in the FCT for between N1,050 and N1,150, compared to N1,200 and N1,400 in previous months, depending on the location.

Mrs Abigail Nosa, a civil servant, commended the government for the price reduction but called on the government to put in more effort to further reduce the price.

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“I bought 12.5kg of cooking gas for N16,800 three weeks ago, I went to refill last Friday and discovered the price had dropped slightly to N15,000.

“I was a bit happy, but I hope the government can sustain this reduction to a significant level because it will offer some succour to Nigerians who are going through a lot of hardship.

“Many families use gas as their cooking source, especially in the urban areas.

“It would be good if the government ensures it is affordable, especially as they want us to move to cleaner energy sources,’’ she said.

Mr Sunday Azubike, a businessman, said that the reduction in cooking gas prices was not substantial enough to increase the purchasing power of Nigerians.

“Yes, the price has reduced, but it is not significant. We need to see a minimum of 50 per cent reduction for it to really have an impact on the purchasing power of Nigerians.

“All this N150, N200 decrease is insignificant to the average Nigerian because many Nigerians cannot still afford to buy cooking gas.

“Nigerians now use charcoal as an alternative source of cooking because kerosene is also very expensive.

“The government needs to do more to drop the prices down by ensuring local production of the product,” he said.

Mrs Joyce Idoko, a restaurant owner, urged the government to sustain efforts to reduce the price of cooking gas to help business owners like herself.

“I still remember when 12.5kg was N15,000, now it is N15,000 and above.  I used to use only gas for my food business but I had to get a charcoal stove because I could not sustain using only gas.

“The charcoal is not cheap either but it is cheaper than gas, so I use the two if I still want to remain in business.

“The government should continue what it is doing to reduce the price further. It will really help businesses like mine that rely on cooking gas.” (NAN)