Scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas also known as cooking gas has hit Lagos and some other states in the country.
The other affected states, according to findings by our correspondents are: Katsina, Sokoto, Delta, Kaduna and Kano.
The rise in price of the commodity has been noticed since late last month, causing a continuous rise in prices, The PUNCH has learnt.
The PUNCH had earlier reported how gas terminal owners increased price by 66 per cent in October alone. Price of 20 metric tons of cooking gas rose from N10m at the beginning of last month to N16 million as of late last month despite NLNG currently supplying 20MT of cooking gas to them at N9m.
Market survey carried out by The PUNCH over the weekend, revealed that 12.5kg of cooking gas now sells for between N13,500 and N14,000 at the black market.
Some of the traders informed The PUNCH that gas plant owners now sell to them at between N1100-N1200 per 1kg as they could not access enough quantity.
As of June, the price of 12.5kg was around N8, 700. In September price rose to N10, 200, and as of Saturday, price had again risen to between N13, 500-N14, 000.
In a chat with President, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Oladapo Olatunbosun on Sunday, The PUNCH learnt that there is currently not enough cooking gas in Lagos state.
“In my own gas plant, I sell at N950 per 1kg. So, by all means, the masses should try not to patronise those that don’t have gas plants because they will also add their profit. Those people are also part of the problem we are facing in the country.
Our correspondent in Katsina also reported scarcity of cooking gas in the state.
According to findings, the scarcity was first observed about two weeks ago as several small retailers complained of non-availability. Investigation has also shown that a kilogram of cooking gas goes for nothing less than N1, 400 in the state. No official reason had been given for the scarcity.
Scarcity of cooking gas has also been noticed in Sokoto State metropolis in the last few days, leading to prices being increased indiscriminately.
Our correspondent in Kaduna reported that residents were spotted carrying their cylinders in search of the commodity as of Sunday. Findings showed that a retail price of 5 kilogram went for N5, 500.
In the neighbouring Kano state, our correspondent disclosed that the resurfacing of scarcity of cooking was noticed, as residents are engaging in panic buying of the commodity.
An investigation by The Punch showed that following the resurfacing of the scarcity, marketers have jerked up the prices as kilogram of cooking gas is now being sold at N850 in some filling stations while others sold it between N900 and N950 per kilogram.
However, long queue of buyers are now common feature at most of filling stations dispensing the commodity.
At other outlets (black market) the price is between N1,110 per kilo and N1200 per kilo.
