Lagos residents have decried the continuous rise in cooking gas prices as it is increasing financial pressure on households and gas marketers in the state.

The development is also forcing many residents to reduce cooking, cut meal portions and seek alternative energy sources.

Residents and marketers, in separate interviews on Tuesday, attributed the price increase to foreign exchange instability, high transportation costs, import dependence and rising operational expenses.

A survey in Festac Town and other parts of Lagos showed that cooking gas now sells between N1,250 and N1,500 per kg, with an average price of about N1,350 per kg.

A station manager at a gas retail outlet in Festac, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said both global and domestic economic factors were driving the steady increase in prices.

According to him, the crisis in the Middle East, rising exchange rates and Nigeria’s dependence on imported gas continue to worsen the situation.

“Gas is imported, and transactions are done in foreign currency. Exchange rate pressure alone accounts for almost 70 per cent of the problem,” he said.

The manager added that import duties, licensing fees, transportation costs and unofficial road charges further increased the price paid by consumers.

“We spend about N250,000 to transport five tonnes of gas from depots to retail stations. Marketers also have to make a profit to survive,” he said.

He criticised the removal of fuel subsidy and rising government borrowing despite increased tax revenues, urging the government to invest more in the energy sector and support consumers.

A teacher, Grace Ekot, said the rising cost of cooking gas was taking a toll on household finances.

“Gas is now taking money meant for school fees and transportation,” she said.

Mrs Ekot said her family now cooks once daily and plans meals carefully based on available gas.

“We sometimes use electric cookers when there is stable electricity. I also prepare meals that require less cooking time to save gas,” she added.

A food vendor, Aminat Wasiu, said the increase in gas prices had significantly reduced her profit margin.

“My profit is dropping because I cannot keep increasing food prices every week,” she said.

Ms Wasiu said she now reduces food portions and occasionally uses charcoal or firewood to cut costs.

Also speaking, a plumbing expert, Kazeem Lawal, described the situation as difficult for many families.

According to him, residents now travel longer distances in search of cheaper gas because prices vary across locations.

“Sometimes, the price changes within two streets,” he said.

Mr Lawal added that his family alternates between cooking gas and kerosene stoves to manage expenses.

“Most times, we try to finish the gas completely before refilling the cylinder,” he said. 

(NAN)