Cooking gas has jumped in the Federal Capital Territory, and people are quietly switching back to charcoal and firewood.
Prices shot up in recent months from about N1,200 per kg to N2,000 per kg. Industry players blame supply shortages, higher depot costs, foreign‑exchange pressures and rising transport bills. Consumers and vendors told NAN the hike has pushed them to cheaper fuels.
Mrs Mayo Akinpelu, a food vendor in Gwarimpa, said she stopped using cooking gas after repeated price rises. “Refilling my gas cylinder became difficult because the price kept rising. I could no longer afford it and still make reasonable profit. Right now, 12.5kg of LPG goes for N25,000. “Firewood and charcoal are not as convenient as gas, but they help me reduce costs and keep my business running,” she said. She added customers sometimes complain about delays, but the alternatives keep her business alive.
Another food vendor, Ms Victory Samson, said: “It has affected a lot; my profit margin has reduced. The government should help and bring the price back to normal,” Samson said.
Mrs Grace Oluwatimilehin in Kubwa was shocked: “I filled my cylinder at N1,600 per kg the last time, but when I went back yesterday, the price had risen to N2,000 per kg. “I now use electric hot plates for cooking and sometimes rely on charcoal and firewood instead of gas,” she said.
Mrs Abike Ojo warned: “The last time I bought gas, it was N1,500 per kg, but my most recent purchase cost N2,000. “If prices keep rising, I may stop using gas entirely because it has become too expensive,” she said.
Vendors confirmed the squeeze. “The increase has affected business because people’s purchasing power has dropped significantly. “From what we observe, the major issue is product scarcity, although we do not know the exact cause,” Bolanle said. “Earlier this year, we sold gas for N1,200 per kg. It later rose to N1,400, then N1,800, and now N2,000. “I cannot blame customers for buying less. Filling a 12kg cylinder now costs about N25,000,” Orshio said.
Charcoal and firewood sellers report a boom: “Patronage has increased recently, and I believe it is because of the rising cost of cooking gas. “I buy a bag of charcoal for N6,500 and sell it to my customers for N8,000,” Yakubu said. “Business is moving very fast. What used to take more than a week to sell now takes just two days. “However, many people have joined the charcoal business. I was the first seller on this street, but there are now more than five charcoal vendors here,” she said.
“More people now buy firewood because cooking gas has become too expensive for many families and small businesses. “Before now, customers got six pieces of firewood for N1,000. Today, the same amount buys only four pieces,” he said.
As gas prices climb, residents and businesses are switching back to old fuels. Stakeholders want government action to stabilise prices, warning that scarcity and weak buying power could further hit gas use and trade. (NAN)
