Gas: Minister Directs NMDPRA To Check Hoarding, Sharp Practices Across Deports
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify monitoring of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking depots across the country to prevent product hoarding and other sharp practices capable of worsening the current situation.
This directive follows the exorbitant price of the product, ranging between ₦1,000–₦1,100 per kilogram to as high as ₦1,500–₦1,700 per kilogram in some parts of the country.
The Minister, who expressed concern over the development, appealed for calm and understanding from Nigerians, assuring that the situation is temporary and would normalise in no distant time.
He explained that the recent price surge was primarily caused by two factors: The industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the Dangote Refinery, which temporarily halted LPG loading, and Ongoing maintenance activities at the Nigeria LNG Train 4 facility, which reduced the volume of LPG available in the domestic market.
These disruptions, according to him, led to a shortfall in supply and a consequent increase in prices due to demand–supply imbalance.
In a statement on Monday by the Spokesman to the Minister, Louis Ibah, Hon. Ekpo however, noted that operations at the Dangote Refinery have now resumed, with loading of LPG to the domestic market already underway.
Similarly, he said the Bonny River Terminal operated by Seplat Energy has commenced loading, while the Nigeria LNG is gradually restoring normal operations as maintenance nears completion.
“With these developments, supply to the domestic market is expected to stabilise by next week, leading to a gradual reduction in prices,” he assured.
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, according to the statement, also reiterated that the LPG market is deregulated and appeals to marketers, distributors, and all stakeholders along the LPG value chain to be patriotic in their dealings, desist from hoarding, and refrain from exploiting consumers for profit.
He reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring sufficient and affordable gas supply to all households across the country.
