Cooking gas marketers under the auspices of Nigerian Association of LPG Marketers (NALPGAM) on Monday, raised the alarm over looming scarcity of Liquefied Natural Gas (LPG) as a result of imposition of commuting levies on petroleum products trucks including LPG trucks moving in and out of the State.
The association in a statement said the activities have led to paralysis of loading activities at Dangote Refinery since Saturday 22nd February 2025 and this has led to boycott of the Refinery by truck drivers as a result of the extortions by the agencies.
The group, however, warned that if the government does not address the situation immediately, the state will experience a mass shortage of cooking gas.
“Agencies of the Lagos State Government in the drive for revenue have imposed commuting levies on petroleum products trucks including LPG trucks moving in and out of the State. We, therefore, call on the Lagos State Government, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), and the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) to urgently intervene.
“It is imperative that these agencies cease their harassment of tanker drivers and put an end to the collection of illegal fees. The current strike action that is affecting loadings at all the terminals in Lagos, if allowed to continue, may spread to other states of the Federation, the overall effect of which will have far-reaching consequences on the economy and the well-being of Nigerians”, the association stated.
The association reminiscences on how the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo had intervened when there were concerns that most Nigerians would not be able to afford cooking gas when the price soared to above N24 million per 20MT and the retail price was almost N2,000.00 per kg.
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“NALPGAM took these concerns to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, advocating for a way out so that Nigerians would not return to the use of dirty fuels as their source of cooking energy with the attendant health implications because of the high cost of LPG. The Minister intervened and price started coming down.
“Dangote Refinery seems to have provided a succor with the commencement of LPG supply into the domestic market. This has been consistent since December 2024 and at a volume that has made the product market relatively stable with availability. This has seen the price moved downwards from over N24 million to about N16 million for a 20MT truck.
“The positive impact of this has been greatly felt in Lagos and most other states in the country compelling other producers and suppliers to bring down their prices too. If the trend persists, the good news is that every household will conveniently afford LPG. The entry of Dangote Refinery into the LPG domestic market has brought great relief and Nigerians pray that it is sustained to make LPG available and affordable. However, recent events in Lagos State may truncate the joy of Nigerians. If the situation is not urgently addressed, there is an imminent scarcity of cooking gas looming in the country” the association lamented.
