Kebbi, Cross River, Borno lead states with high cost of cooking gas (LPG)

A National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report has revealed that Kebbi state has the highest cost of cooking gas in the country with average refilling cost of N5,375 per 12.5kg cylinder followed by Cross River (N5,330) and Borno (N5,300).

The statistics agency also said the cost of refill within the months of April and May 2017 increased by 2.64 percent month-on-month and by 33.11 percent year-on-year to N4,957.88 in May 2017 from N4,830.22 in April 2017.

The report, which is pasted on NBS’ website, lists Lagos (N4,621), Oyo (N4,615) and Katsina (N4,600) as states with the lowest average price for the refilling of a 12.5kg cylinder.

Similarly, the reports revealed that states with the highest average price for the refilling of a 5kg cylinder for cooking gas were Gombe (N2,600), Akwa Ibom (N2,590) and Rivers (2,585.00).

Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Ogun and Sokoto states  have the lowest average price, refilling at the rate of N2,300, N2,294.44 , N2,600 and  N2,268.75 respectively.

The report also put the average price per litre paid by consumers for national household kerosene increased by 8.01 per cent month-on-month and 30.49 percent year-on-year to N303.29 in May 2017 from N280.80 in April 2017.

The Nigerian LNG Limited stated that the domestic LPG price is based on an international price index plus 50 per cent of the shipping cost of delivering the product to receiving facilities in Apapa-Lagos.

The company also indicated that the price is invoiced in naira at the prevailing official interbank exchange rates, contrary to erroneous assertions made in parts of the media.

“The reality of this is that although LPG is produced and consumed locally, the product, like crude oil, is an internationally traded commodity with an international price benchmark, open to global demand and supply pressures,” the company said.