By Queen Madaki
The sharp increase in the price of cooking gas has forced many households and small business owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to abandon Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and return to traditional cooking fuels such as charcoal and firewood.
Findings by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicate that cooking gas prices in Abuja have climbed from about N1,200 per kilogram earlier in the year to as high as N2,000 per kilogram, placing additional pressure on families already struggling with the rising cost of living.
Food Vendors Turn to Cheaper Alternatives
A food vendor in Gwarimpa, Mrs. Mayo Akinpelu, said repeated increases in gas prices forced her to stop using LPG for her business.
According to her, charcoal and firewood have become the only affordable alternatives available to keep her business running.
“Refilling my gas cylinder became difficult because the price kept rising. I could no longer afford it and still make reasonable profit. Right now, 12.5kg of LPG goes for about N25,000.
“Firewood and charcoal are not as convenient as gas, but they help me reduce costs and keep my business running,” she said.
Another food vendor in Dutse, Bwari Area Council, Ms. Victory Samson, said the rising cost of cooking gas has significantly reduced her profit margin.
“It has affected a lot; my profit margin has reduced. The government should help and bring the price back to normal,” she said.
Households Feel the Impact
Residents across different parts of Abuja said the continuous increase in LPG prices is making it increasingly difficult to maintain their household budgets.
A business owner in Kubwa, Mrs. Grace Oluwatimilehin, said she recently discovered that the price of gas had increased from N1,600 per kilogram to N2,000 per kilogram within a short period.
She explained that she now relies on electric hot plates and occasionally uses charcoal and firewood to reduce expenses.
Similarly, Mrs. Abike Ojo said the rising cost of cooking gas is becoming unsustainable for many families.
“The last time I bought gas, it was N1,500 per kg, but my most recent purchase cost N2,000. If prices keep rising, I may stop using gas entirely because it has become too expensive,” she said.
Gas Vendors Blame Scarcity and Weak Purchasing Power
Gas vendors in the FCT confirmed the latest increase, attributing it largely to product scarcity and supply challenges.
A gas retailer in Kubwa, Mr. Bamishile Bolanle, said reduced purchasing power among consumers has negatively affected sales.
“The increase has affected business because people’s purchasing power has dropped significantly. From what we observe, the major issue is product scarcity, although we do not know the exact cause,” he said.
Another vendor in Dei-Dei, Mr. Alfred Orshio, noted that LPG prices have risen steadily from N1,200 per kilogram earlier in the year to the current N2,000 per kilogram.
“I cannot blame customers for buying less. Filling a 12kg cylinder now costs about N25,000,” he said.
Charcoal and Firewood Sellers Record Increased Patronage
As more consumers seek affordable cooking options, sellers of charcoal and firewood say demand has risen significantly.
A charcoal distributor in Kubwa, Mrs. Amina Yakubu, said more households are turning to charcoal because of the escalating cost of cooking gas.
“Patronage has increased recently, and I believe it is because of the rising cost of cooking gas. I buy a bag of charcoal for N6,500 and sell it for N8,000,” she said.
Another charcoal trader, Mrs. Saratu Ibrahim, said sales that previously took more than a week now take only a few days.
“Business is moving very fast. What used to take more than a week to sell now takes just two days,” she said.
Firewood seller, Mr. Taninu Ibrahim, also confirmed growing demand, adding that increased patronage has led to higher prices.
“More people now buy firewood because cooking gas has become too expensive for many families and small businesses. Before now, customers got six pieces of firewood for N1,000. Today, the same amount buys only four pieces,” he said.
Calls for Government Intervention
Stakeholders have called on the government to intervene and stabilise cooking gas prices to prevent more households and businesses from reverting to traditional fuels.
Industry operators warn that prolonged scarcity, rising operational costs, and declining consumer purchasing power could further reduce LPG consumption and undermine efforts to promote cleaner energy sources across the country.
The Bureau Journal reports that the rising cost of cooking gas is increasingly becoming a major concern for households and small businesses in the FCT as economic pressures continue to mount.
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