Abuja — The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify engagement with producers, marketers and other stakeholders to ensure stability in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, gave the directive on Monday while addressing growing concerns over the persistent rise in the price of LPG, popularly known as cooking gas.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Louis Ibah, the minister also urged producers, marketers and other industry players to sustain adequate LPG supply across the country.
Ekpo disclosed that marketers had committed to increasing import volumes to complement domestic production, while deliveries from Seplat Energy’s new gas facility, expected to commence in July, would significantly boost national LPG supply.
According to the minister, recent increases in LPG prices have been driven by market realities, including foreign exchange volatility, rising logistics costs, infrastructure constraints and fluctuations in international LPG prices.
He stressed that these factors should not be interpreted as evidence of policy failure.
Ekpo further confirmed that no producer was exporting LPG volumes designated for the domestic market, noting that regulatory measures remain firmly in place to prioritise local consumption.
He reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring adequate, reliable and affordable gas supply for households, industries and power generation.
“This commitment is reflected in ongoing interventions aimed at stabilising the domestic LPG market, including the directive that all LPG produced in Nigeria be prioritised for local consumption.
“This policy has already strengthened domestic supply, reduced dependence on imports and improved market resilience.
“The outlook for LPG supply remains positive, and the Federal Government will continue to pursue measures that enhance availability, affordability and long-term energy security for Nigerian consumers,” he said.
Cooking gas currently sells for about N2,000 per kilogram at many roadside retail outlets, while major marketers such as NIPCO retail the product at around N1,600 per kilogram.
Consumers have continued to express concern over the rising cost of cooking gas, urging the Federal Government to take further steps to ease the burden on households.
