Supply Challenges, Not Retailers, Driving Cooking Gas Price Hike, Says LPGAR

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association of Nigeria (LPGAR) has denied responsibility for the recent surge in cooking gas prices, attributing the increase to broader supply chain challenges rather than retailer actions.

Speaking in a statement on Saturday, LPGAR Chairman Ayobami Olarinoye explained that retailers operate solely as intermediaries, purchasing gas from plant owners and selling to consumers.

He emphasized that retailers do not import LPG or control depot-level pricing, and are therefore not responsible for price fluctuations.

“Many retailers have been forced to travel to neighboring states to source LPG at higher costs due to shortages. These challenges inevitably impact retail prices,” Olarinoye said.

The chairman noted that while Dangote Refinery has maintained stable gas prices, irregular supply and distribution challenges have created an imbalance between demand and availability, pushing prices upward. Some retailers have even had to close their outlets temporarily due to lack of supply, causing business losses and operational strain.

Olarinoye stressed that the price hike is driven purely by market forces and urged stakeholders to address the root causes, rather than placing blame on retailers.

The statement comes amid rising concerns over the cost and scarcity of cooking gas, which have affected millions of Nigerian households and small businesses. LPGAR’s clarification aims to provide transparency and redirect attention to the supply issues affecting the LPG market.