NMDPRA directed to engage stakeholders as government targets improved LPG imports and market stability.
The Federal Government says it has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify engagement with gas producers, marketers, and stakeholders to boost the importation and supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the move is aimed at sustaining supply and stabilising prices amid recent increases across the country.
He assured Nigerians that government remains committed to ensuring adequate and affordable gas supply for households, industries, and power generation, noting that marketers have already pledged to increase import volumes to support domestic demand.
Ekpo also said upcoming deliveries from the Seplat gas facility expected in July would further strengthen national supply. He added that no locally produced LPG meant for domestic use is being exported, as regulatory measures remain in place to prioritise the Nigerian market.
The minister attributed recent price hikes to foreign exchange pressure, logistics costs, infrastructure challenges, and global market fluctuations, stressing that the situation should not be seen as a policy failure.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), cooking gas prices recorded double-digit increases in April, with the cost of refilling both 5kg and 12.5kg cylinders rising year-on-year and month-on-month.
The government said it will continue interventions aimed at improving availability, affordability, and long-term energy security for consumers.