Government Tackles Rising LPG Prices And Promotes Clean Energy In Nigeria

By Oluwabukola Jimoh ــ Last Update 30 August 2024

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has announced plans to convene a meeting with regulatory agencies and LPG producers to address the recent surge in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices, commonly known as cooking gas. The current price for a 12.5-kg cylinder has risen sharply to N16,200 from N13,500 just last month. The minister emphasized the need for affordability and availability in energy security and committed to taking action to reduce prices.

In a related development, the federal government, through the Decade of Gas Secretariat and its partners, distributed 250 fully-filled LPG cylinders to underserved households in Lagos State. This initiative is part of a broader goal to convert 250,000 homes across Nigeria's 774 Local Government Areas to clean cooking gas by 2030.

Speaking at the launch of the LPG Grassroots Penetration and Cylinder Distribution Programme for the South-West Zone, Ekpo highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing domestic gas utilization. He noted that the program’s kick-off with 250 gas cylinders is a tangible step toward the administration's vision of converting 250,000 homes to LPG within the next decade. This initiative aligns with the Presidential theme, “From Gas to Prosperity: Renewed Hope,” and underscores the government's resolve to deepen domestic gas utilization.

Ekpo also stressed the importance of LPG in improving household energy efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and fostering economic growth. He called for corporate, private, and public sponsorships to extend the program’s reach beyond the initial goal of one million households. The minister highlighted that the clean cooking movement is crucial in reducing respiratory ailments among Nigerian women and youth caused by cooking with wood, charcoal, and other hazardous fuels.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, praised the initiative as a significant milestone in expanding LPG adoption and improving energy access across Nigeria. Komolafe emphasized that the program promotes a greener, more sustainable future for the country and underscores the importance of equitable access to clean energy.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, also encouraged Nigerians to embrace LPG as a safer, faster, and more economical alternative to firewood. He noted that LPG generates less heat in the kitchen, produces less carbon dioxide, and is now cheaper than firewood due to rising transportation costs for wood.

The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to promote clean energy, reduce deforestation, and ensure that more Nigerians have access to safe, affordable cooking fuel.

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Oluwabukola Jimoh

Oluwabukola Jimoh is a dynamic academic writer and captivating energy blogger. She is able to delve into intricate subjects with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, crafting thought-provoking essays that engage and enlighten her readers.