Residents of Kano have raised concerns over the escalating cost of cooking gas, saying the sharp increase is straining household budgets and disrupting daily meal preparations.
A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that the price of a 3kg cooking gas cylinder has risen from about N3,100 to N5,040 in recent months, indicating an increase of over 62 per cent.
Some residents told NAN that the hike has forced them to reduce gas consumption or turn to alternative fuels.
Hadiza Suleiman, a mother of four in Fagge Local Government Area, described the rising cost as a burden on her family.
Suleiman said she now pays N5,040 for a 3kg cylinder, up from N3,100 previously.
“The increase is making it difficult for families like mine to manage daily cooking,” she said.
Abdullahi Sani, a civil servant in Tarauni Local Government Area, said he now spends N21,000 for a 12.5kg cylinder, up from N18,000.
He said the increase has forced him to cut his gas usage, adding that he sometimes cooks only once a day.
“The price keeps rising, while our incomes remain the same. It is becoming very difficult,” he said.
Mrs Josephine Adeleke, a businesswoman in Kumbotso Local Government Area, lamented the high cost of cooking gas, saying the increase, coupled with other rising expenses, had eroded her meagre salary.
She explained that she now uses cooking gas on specific days and sometimes relies on charcoal to supplement her cooking needs.
Adeleke added that the high cost is unjustifiable for Nigerians, especially given the country’s abundant natural gas reserves.
She called on relevant authorities to regulate prices and ensure a steady supply to ease the burden on consumers.
A dealer, Muhammad Yusuf, blamed the situation on an unstable distribution system and rising transportation costs.
A vendor, Isa Jibril, also confirmed the hike, saying supply had been inconsistent.
“The cost of getting the product from distributors has gone up, so we have no choice but to increase our prices,” he explained.
