Cooking gas prices push Enugu residents to use charcoal

Some cooking gas sellers in Enugu State are complaining about low sales. This is happening because the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has gone up. Many residents are now turning to charcoal as a cheaper option.

The sellers spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday. They said the drop in sales is due to the rising cost of cooking gas across the country.

They are asking the federal government to step in and help lower the prices. They want action to ease the economic challenges that many Nigerians are facing.

A gas seller, Emmanuel Okam, described the situation as frustrating. He said his sales have dropped significantly compared to the previous months.

He explained that customers who used to buy five kilogrammes of gas are now only buying two kilogrammes because of the high price. "Business is no longer what it used to be. Before now, I could refill up to five or six cylinders in a week, but demand has dropped sharply due to high gas prices."

Mr Okam buys gas at about N1,600 per kilogramme from suppliers. He sells it to households at about N1,850. Even at that price, many customers still cannot afford to buy what they need.

He said he reduced his profit margin to attract customers but still finds it hard to make enough sales. "Before, I could sell about 60kg in a week, but now I hardly sell half of that quantity. It is affecting my income and my ability to meet family and other financial obligations."

He urged the government to work with gas suppliers to lower LPG costs. He believes that any price cut at the source would help consumers.

Another seller, Ifeanyi Maduka, also pointed to the economic situation as a reason for falling sales. "Nigeria is really affecting all of us. Gas that used to sell for between N400 and N500 has risen to over N1,000, while fuel prices have also increased."

"Everything is becoming more expensive in Nigeria," he said. Mr Maduka added that while customers still come to his shop, the amount they buy has dropped a lot because their money is not going as far.

"Customers are coming, but not like before, because money is not circulating. Gas prices are no longer stable. A supplier can increase the price at any time, which affects retailers and consumers alike."

He noted that some shops sell gas for as much as N2,000 per kilogramme. Others sell it between N1,800 and N1,900, while his outlet sells at N1,750.

A resident, Ukamaka Okoro, shared that the high cost of gas has made her reduce how much she buys. "I used to buy seven kilogrammes of cooking gas. But when I went to buy a few days ago, I was told that a kilogramme now costs N1,850. I have no choice but to buy less."

Mrs Okoro, a secondary school teacher, is asking the government to act quickly to help low-income earners like her.

Meanwhile, a charcoal dealer, who wants to remain anonymous, said they have seen a big increase in sales recently. More households are looking for cheaper cooking fuel options.

The dealer said this rise in demand is due to the high prices of cooking gas and kerosene. He mentioned that a bag of charcoal currently sells for between N8,000 and N8,500, depending on the size.

"The price of charcoal has remained fairly stable over the past few months. The only problem is the cost of transport from places like Eha-Amufu in Enugu State and parts of Benue and Kogi states."

"Many people who can no longer afford cooking gas are now buying charcoal, and this has led to increased patronage," he said.