Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are appealing to the government to urgently reduce the rising cost of cooking gas, which is putting serious pressure on household budgets.
As of now, refilling a 12.5kg cylinder costs around ₦17,500, a sharp increase from the ₦700 per kilogram rate recorded in June 2023. This represents more than a 114% increase, making it difficult for many families to afford clean energy for cooking.
Due to the high cost, some residents are turning to alternative methods like charcoal and firewood, which pose health and environmental risks.
In response to the growing concern, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, announced in February 2024 that the government is working on measures to bring down gas prices and improve accessibility.
However, many residents say they have yet to see any real change and are calling for faster and more effective action to ease the burden.
The situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions to make cooking gas affordable again for families across the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.
