Government to distribute 10m cooking gas cylinders as Minister lauds NLNG

*The Federal Government discloses has said it is considering the possibility of increasing access to cooking gas by reducing the current high cost of LPG to enhance affordability for consumers, and improve economic activities

*Minister of State for Environment commends NLNG on the company’s sensitivity, responsiveness to the plight of Nigerians

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In consonance with authorities’ recent pledge to ensure availability and affordability of the petroleum product to energy consumers, the Federal Government has said it will inject 10,000,000 cylinders of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) into circulation across Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect gathered Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, Managing Director of Nigeria LPG, disclosed this development at a two-day sensitisation workshop Tuesday, January 18, 2022, in Bauchi, Bauchi State.

Chief Sharon Ikeazor, Honourable Minister of State for Environment

Alhaji Ibrahim said the cylinders would be distributed nationwide through registered marketers, noting the organisation would establish micro sales and distribution centres for the gas cylinders, agency report said.

He also stated: “The price of the safe cylinders is affordable as the LPG is capable of improving economic activities of the end-users.”

Report as well indicates Mr. Dayo Adesina, Senior Special Assistant to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on LPG, urged the people of the state to embrace the use of the LPG in their households.

According to the presidential aide, the Federal Government is considering the possibility of increasing access to the commodity by reducing the high cost of the LPG to expand affordability.

The use of cooking gas will reduce instances of deforestation, desertification and soil erosion which contribute seriously to environmental hazards, said Adesina.

Commendation for NLNG on banning cooking gas export

In a related development, the Federal Government has applauded the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited for suspending the exportation of cooking gas while approving 100 percent domestic supply of the product.

The NLNG recently said the move was designed to increase availability of cooking gas in Nigeria, and diversify its use and support the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative.

Saghir el Mohammed, Director of Press, in a statement said Chief Sharon Ikeazor, Honourable Minister of State for Environment, gave the commendation.

The Minister said such a bold initiative was a welcome development and step in the right direction, which will not only lead to reduced price of the product but also bring relief to the country’s forests and the entire ecosystems.

Mohammed stated Chief Ikeazor recalled that shortly after the increase in the prices of cooking gas in the country, millions of Nigerians could no longer afford the commodity, and consequently resorted to firewood and charcoal as alternatives.

Ikeazor stated: “NLNG should be commended for its sensitivity and responsiveness to the plight of Nigerians.

“For us in the environment sector, this singular decision will not only help in restoring our forests and in addressing some of our climate challenges, but also facilitate the attainment of our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and other aspects of the Paris Agreement.”

The Minister further said: “We in the Environment sector strongly support and believe that by making gas available and affordable, being the cleanest of the fossil fuels, Nigeria is now set towards cutting down on its carbon emissions drastically, thus play a prominent role during the current energy transition period.”

The NLNG, currently, is said to be the highest single supplier of LPG to the domestic market with estimated 400,000 metric tonnes supplied in 2021.

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