Nigerians Abandon Gas Due to Surging Prices, Resort to Firewood and Charcoal

The surge in the price of gas prices has caused many Nigerians to resort to firewood and charcoal to cook, according to an open letter written to the government by retailers of the product.

LPG imports make up about 65% of the entire market, and they are being discouraged by several factors. One of the reasons for the decrease in imports is the lack of foreign exchange. This lack of imports had then led to a large reliance on domestic supplies, according to the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers on Monday November 8, 2021.

As at today, Nigerians are now paying up to triple the amounts they paid for gas in January 2021. A 12.5-kilogram cylinder could now cost up to N10,200 ($25) according to the NALPGAM. These fast-rising prices mean that Nigerians are now abandoning LPG to go back to firewood, charcoal and kerosene regardless of the dangerous implications on the environment and one’s health. NALPGAM said this in an open letter to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest crude oil producer, yet has refused to tap into the huge gas reserves which it possesses. Most of the country’s gas output is wasted due to inadequate infrastructure to properly exploit the resource. According to Nigeria’s official statistics agency in a 2020 report, only about 17% of the entire population make use of gas to cook; the rest make use of firewood or charcoal-fueled stoves.

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari pleaded for international financing for what he referred to as transition fuels like gas, which will help Nigeria take more steps toward renewable energy in the future. The President said at the COP26 conference in Glasgow on November 2, that gas will be highly important in addressing the clean cooking challenge and also help to reduce deforestation. He also touted that gas will help solve the country’s long-standing problems with electricity.

NALPGAM called on the government to maintain a steady supply of the dollar to LPG importers, urging the government to suspend the planned reintroduction of VAT and Customs duties.

If the gas prices continue to rise at this rate, more Nigerians will continue to abandon gas in favour of the more harmful alternatives, until the dangerous options are recognized as the norm. The government is encouraged to take necessary action in order to prevent possible casualties to human life where possible.