Federal Government has moved to address the scarcity and consequent high prices of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) commodity, also known as cooking gas, across the country, as it has directed producers to prioritise supply to local consumers in the country.

Speaking in the statement, Monday, against the backdrop of escalating cost of the product, the government assured consumers that it was fully committed to ensuring an adequate, reliable and affordable gas supply for households, industries and power generation across the country.

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Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo in the statement signed by his spokesperson, Louis Ibah, explained that this informed the government’s decision to direct that all LPG produced in Nigeria be channelled to supply local consumers.

According to him, stabilising the domestic market remains key to resolving the scarcity and high price of the commodity in the country.

The minister acknowledged the concerns expressed by Nigerians over the recent increase in the price of LPG, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the situation.

“This commitment is reflected in ongoing interventions designed to stabilise the domestic LPG market, including the minister’s directive that all LPG produced in Nigeria be prioritised for local consumption.

“This policy has already strengthened domestic supply, reduced dependence on imports and improved market resilience,” the statement read.

The recent price adjustments, the minister said, were driven largely by prevailing market realities such as foreign exchange volatility, rising logistics costs, infrastructure constraints and fluctuations in international LPG prices.

These factors, according to him, should not be misinterpreted as evidence of policy failure.

To address the situation, the minister has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify engagement with producers, marketers and other stakeholders to sustain supply and enhance market stability.

“Marketers have also committed to increasing import volumes to complement domestic production,” the statement continued.

Furthermore, the minister said the commencement of LPG deliveries from the new Seplat gas facility in July will significantly boost national supply.

The minister also confirmed that no producer is exporting LPG volumes designated for the domestic market, as regulatory measures remain firmly in place to prioritise local needs.

“The outlook for LPG supply remains positive, and the Federal Government will continue to pursue measures that enhance availability, affordability and long-term energy security for Nigerian consumers,” according to the statement.