Cooking Gas Crisis
In Nigeria, the soaring cost of cooking gas has pushed millions of households to the brink of a health and environmental disaster. With gas prices skyrocketing, many are turning to hazardous alternatives – charcoal and firewood – to cook their meals. But at what cost?
In this special report, Korede Abdullah investigates the dire consequences of Nigeria’s cooking gas crisis, from worsening indoor air pollution to devastating deforestation, and explore the urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect the health and well-being of Africa’s largest population.
Nigeria As the Largest Oil Producer
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, is grappling with a severe cooking gas also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) crisis, leaving millions of households and businesses struggling to access this essential energy source.
Combination of Factors Causing Hike in Cooking Gas
The crisis, triggered by a combination of factors including, removal of fuel subsidies by the present administration, forex scarcity, inadequate local production, and skyrocketing global prices, has led to a staggering 100% increase in cooking gas prices over the past year.
The situation has worsened in recent months, with many gas stations running out of stock and those that have gas selling at exorbitant rates, far beyond the reach of average Nigerians.
As a result, many are being forced to resort to hazardous and environmentally damaging alternatives such as charcoal and firewood, exacerbating deforestation and air pollution.
The crisis is having far-reaching impacts on food security, economic productivity, and public health, sparking widespread concern and calls for urgent government intervention.
Nigerians Feeling the Pinch
Nigerians are reeling from the latest hike in cooking gas prices, which has pushed the cost of this essential commodity to a staggering N1500 per KG as against N900 per KG in the previous week.
This surge has sparked widespread concern, as citizens struggle to cope with the escalating financial burden.
Some Nigerians who spoke with Africa Health Report lamented that the impact is felt deeply, as the increased cost eats into already meagre incomes, leaving many Nigerians with difficult choices.
The price hike has become a harsh reality, exacerbating the daily struggle to make ends meet and highlighting the urgent need for relief and sustainable energy solutions.
Removal of Fuel Subsidy as a Catalyst
Nigerians are grappling with the harsh consequences of subsidy removal, which has triggered a surge in fuel, food, and transportation costs, affecting 133 million citizens who struggle with multidimensional poverty and previously earned a meagre minimum wage of N30,000, the lowest globally.
The situation is further complicated by the delayed implementation of the newly increased minimum wage of N70,000, stalled by prolonged negotiations.
This perfect storm of economic hardship and delayed wage adjustments has left millions vulnerable, exacerbating poverty and hardship.
Hyperinflation on the Rise
Nigeria’s inflation rate soared to a nearly three-decade high of 34.19% in June 2024, marking the highest level since March 1996, as the country grappled with the fallout of fuel subsidy removal and a depreciating naira.
The alarming spike in inflation, driven by escalating food and energy costs, has inflicted severe economic hardship on Nigerians, eroding purchasing power and diminishing living standards.
The subsidy removal, aimed at liberalizing the oil sector, has instead triggered widespread price hikes, while the weakening naira continues to fan the flames of inflation, threatening economic stability and exacerbating poverty in Africa’s largest economy.
Nigerians are Groaning
Nigerians are reeling from the soaring price of cooking gas, now at N1500, exacerbating the country’s economic hardship. The removal of fuel subsidies on May 29, 2023, has triggered a relentless surge in petrol prices, stoking inflation and crippling transportation costs.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited recently hiked petrol prices from N850 to N998 in Lagos and N1,030 in Abuja. This increase has pushed millions of Nigerians deeper into financial distress, worsening the high cost of living.
As transportation costs skyrocket, the burden on citizens intensifies, underscoring the urgent need for relief measures to mitigate the economic hardship.
Since the cost of cooking gas, has skyrocketed to unaffordable heights, millions of Nigerians have been forced to resort to hazardous alternatives like charcoal and firewood, Africa Health Report has learned.
Some of those who spoke to AHR in Lagos have a tale of woes to tell on the harrowing experience they have been having since the new hike.
“We can’t afford gas anymore, so we’re back to using charcoal,” lamented Lagos resident, Mrs. Oyin Adeyemo, echoing the frustrations of many.
“It’s either we cook with charcoal or go hungry.” Others, like Alimosho-based entrepreneur, Emmanuel Ikpe, expressed concerns about the health implications.
The entrepreneur who sells used clothes at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos added “My wife complains of respiratory issues since we started using charcoal.”
The surge in charcoal and firewood use has also raised environmental alarms, with experts warning of increased deforestation and indoor air pollution, exacerbating Nigeria’s already dire environmental and health crises.
A shift to Firewood and Charcoal
The escalating cooking gas prices in Nigeria have led to a disturbing trend, as increasingly more citizens are compelled to abandon gas and resort to outdated and hazardous cooking methods.
Firewood and charcoal, once relics of a bygone era, are now making a worrisome comeback, posing grave consequences for public health and the environment.
According to environmental experts, the repercussions are far-reaching. Indoor air pollution from these primitive fuels threatens to spike respiratory problems and other health issues.
Mr Olayanju Kayode, an environmentalist, told our correspondent that the shift undermines Nigeria’s environmental aspirations, undoing progress made towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Olayanju added that the urgent need for sustainable, affordable, and healthy energy solutions has never been more pressing, highlighting the imperative for swift government intervention.
Taking its Heavy Toll on Environment
Nigeria’s cooking gas crisis has unleashed a devastating environmental toll, as rampant felling of trees for firewood and charcoal accelerates deforestation and threatens biodiversity.
With cooking gas prices skyrocketing, desperate Nigerians are turning to primitive energy sources, leading to widespread tree cutting and habitat destruction.
The consequences are dire: soil erosion, loss of wildlife habitats, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.
Experts warn that unless sustainable energy solutions are implemented, Nigeria’s forests may disappear at an alarming rate, perpetuating an ecological disaster.
The Impact on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
This shift to charcoal and firewood has led to rampant deforestation and habitat destruction, resulting in loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption.
Soil Erosion and Landslide
The reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking has far-reaching and devastating consequences, extending beyond health risks to environmental degradation, where soil erosion and increased risk of landslides imperil agricultural productivity, damage critical infrastructure, and disrupt ecosystems, ultimately undermining Nigeria’s food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability.
Climate Change
Climate change experts warn of catastrophic consequences as Nigeria’s reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking fuels rampant deforestation.
The widespread tree cutting drastically reduces the country’s carbon sequestration capabilities, crippling its ability to absorb harmful greenhouse gases. This environmental degradation sets off a dangerous chain reaction.
As greenhouse gas emissions escalate, Nigeria becomes increasingly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.
This undermines national efforts to mitigate global warming, placing additional strain on the country’s infrastructure, economy, and human well-being.
The dire implications underscore the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions to break the destructive cycle of deforestation and climate change.
Government Urged to Act as Cooking Gas Prices Continue to Soar
As Nigerians struggle with the escalating costs of cooking gas, experts are calling on the government to take immediate action to mitigate the crisis.
Stabilize Gas Prices
Government intervention has been said by various stakeholders as crucial to stabilize gas prices and make cooking gas affordable for Nigerians once again.
The Federal Government took steps in this direction, meeting with key stakeholders in the industry to find ways to lower the rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasized the need to increase upstream gas production and prioritize domestication and penetration of LPG to bridge the significant gas supply gaps.
The Minister stated this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, when he visited the facilities and projects of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in September, where he serves as the co-chair of the Governing Council. He added the increase in production will force the price of the cooking gas to fall down.
Experts also recommend that the government tackle the root causes of price hikes, including lack of functional refineries, insecurity, and activities of middlemen.
By addressing these issues, the government can ensure that cooking gas becomes more widely available, reasonably priced, and accessible to the general public.
Invest in Renewable Energy
Increased investment in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and provide sustainable energy solutions.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate citizens on the health risks associated with firewood and charcoal use, including respiratory problems and indoor air pollution.
Alternative Cooking Solutions
Support for alternative cooking solutions, such as electric or solar-powered cookstoves, will provide Nigerians with safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly options.
A Call to Action
Experts emphasize that implementing these recommendations will require collaborative efforts from the government, private sector, and civil society. Urgent action is necessary to address the cooking gas crisis and ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for Nigerians.
Experts emphasize that implementing these recommendations will require collaborative efforts from the government, private sector, and civil society. Urgent action is necessary to address the cooking gas crisis and ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for Nigerians.
