By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Industrial Action Triggers Cooking Gas Price Surge to ₦2,000/kg — NNPC Assures Nigerians of Imminent Price Stabilisation
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has attributed the recent sharp increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, to the industrial action embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Sunday after a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He explained that the strike action disrupted loading and distribution activities across the country for several days, resulting in temporary supply shortages and a subsequent spike in prices.
> “The increase you saw was relatively artificial,” Ojulari said. “During the strike, movement and loading were delayed by about two to three days. As things return to normal, it takes some time for distribution to stabilise. Unfortunately, some people took advantage of the situation to hike prices.”
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Prices Hit ₦2,000/kg in Lagos
Market surveys indicate that the retail price of cooking gas has climbed to about ₦2,000 per kilogram in Lagos and approximately ₦1,600 per kilogram in Abuja. This represents a significant jump compared to the previous weeks, raising concerns among households already grappling with the rising cost of living.
Ojulari clarified that the increase was not a result of any policy change or official adjustment by the NNPC. Rather, it was a temporary market reaction to the supply disruption caused by the industrial action.
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Retailers Exploit Supply Gap
The NNPC chief noted that while the strike delayed supply for a few days, some retailers with existing stock took advantage of the situation to increase prices for profit.
> “The industrial action disrupted loading and distribution for several days, which temporarily affected supply and caused prices to rise,” he stated. “Some retailers with existing stock also took advantage of the situation to raise prices. Now that the strike has been suspended, supply is gradually picking up and we expect normal pricing to resume soon.”
He gave the assurance that the price hike was temporary, adding that the NNPC was working with relevant stakeholders to ensure a steady supply of LPG and restore normalcy to the market.
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Strike Action at Dangote Refinery
PENGASSAN embarked on a nationwide strike in late September to protest the dismissal of Nigerian workers at the Dangote Refinery. The action disrupted loading at key depots across the country, affecting the supply chain for petroleum products, including cooking gas.
The strike was suspended on October 1 following government intervention, which resulted in an agreement to redeploy the affected workers instead of dismissing them. With operations resuming, the supply chain is expected to stabilise in the coming days.
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NNPC Reassures Consumers
Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted LPG supply nationwide. He assured consumers that prices would normalise as distribution stabilises.
> “We want to reassure Nigerians that the current hike is temporary. As distribution returns to normal and supply stabilises, consumers will begin to see prices drop in the coming days,” he said.
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Households Await Relief
Many households have expressed concern over the sudden increase, with some turning to alternative energy sources. Energy analysts have also warned that prolonged price hikes may push more Nigerians to rely on charcoal and firewood, with potential environmental and health consequences.
Experts have called for stronger regulatory oversight to prevent retailers from exploiting temporary market disruptions and to protect consumers from arbitrary price increases.
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With the strike suspended and loading operations resuming, Nigerians are hopeful that prices will stabilise soon. The coming days will be crucial in determining how quickly the domestic LPG market recovers from the disruption.
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