Govt official denies LPG exports amid soaring domestic prices

File Copy: Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo

An official with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has denied claims that locally produced cooking gas is being exported in foreign currency at the expense of domestic consumers, insisting that a ban on Liquefied Petroleum Gas exports remains in force despite rising prices and supply concerns across the country. The clarification followed concerns by cooking gas retailers that some locally produced LPG was being sold to West African buyers because it was more profitable than supplying the domestic market. The Chairman of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association, Ayobami Olarinoye, had told The PUNCH that the persistent scarcity and high prices of cooking gas were being worsened by limited product availability and alleged exports by a local refinery. Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, the spokesman for the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Louis Ibah, dismissed the claim, saying the Federal Government’s restriction on LPG exports remains in place and is being enforced by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. “The ban on exports of LPG announced by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, is still in place to stabilise prices and is strictly enforced by the NMDPRA,” Ibah told The PUNCH on Thursday. Ibah emphasised that none of the local producers is allowed to export cooking gas, saying all resources are focused on making the product available for Nigerians. “It’s important to note that none of our producers are currently exporting the LPG meant for cooking in Nigeria, so all resources are focused on meeting our local needs,” he said. The government’s position comes as concerns mount over soaring cooking gas prices and supply shortages across several parts of the country. Retailers and consumers have reported difficulties accessing supplies, while prices have continued to rise. Describing the situation, Olarinoye said access to products had become increasingly difficult in recent weeks. “Getting the product has been excruciatingly difficult, and it is not readily available. Out of every 10 plants, only one or two would have products to sell to our members. Many of them, especially those situated in relatively residential areas, prefer to sell directly to end-users, while a few are still selling to retailers,” he stated. He warned that prices were unlikely to decline in the immediate term unless there was an intervention. “The high price may remain the way it is until the situation changes positi