The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to work closely with gas producers, marketers and other stakeholders to increase the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in a bid to address supply shortfalls and stabilise prices nationwide.
The directive was disclosed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to ensuring adequate, reliable and affordable gas supply for households, industries and power generation.
According to the minister, marketers have pledged to increase LPG import volumes to complement domestic production, while supplies from the new Seplat gas facility, expected to commence in July, will further strengthen availability across the country.
Ekpo explained that recent increases in cooking gas prices were largely driven by foreign exchange volatility, rising transportation costs, infrastructure limitations and fluctuations in international LPG prices. He stressed that these challenges should not be interpreted as evidence of policy failure.
The minister also reiterated that regulatory measures remain in place to ensure that LPG earmarked for domestic consumption is not exported. He noted that the government’s policy of prioritising locally produced LPG for the Nigerian market has helped improve supply and reduce reliance on imports.
Recent figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the average price of a 5kg cylinder refill rose from ₦7,655.73 in March to ₦8,706.93 in April, while the average cost of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder increased from ₦19,652.83 to ₦22,382.20 during the same period.
The government said it will continue implementing measures aimed at improving affordability, availability and long-term energy security for consumers.