Association wants govt. to fast-track cooking gas usage in Nigeria

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), has  urged the Federal Government to fast-track its plans on the usage of cooking gas in the Nigeria.

 Basil Ogbuanu ,National President told the interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that doing so would enable millions of homes to use cooking gas in the next two years.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to move quickly in the direction of greater per capita consumption of gas.

Ogbuanu said that gas was a more efficient and safer alternative to traditional fuel.

He said: ‘’The only way we can achieve this is when the government begins to implement its plan to transit five million homes to cooking gas in the next two years.

“We expect an annual target of cooking gas consumption volume of at least five million, up from the current annual consumption rate of about 400,000 metric tonnes.

“This can be achieved if we replicate the success story of Indonesia, which was able to get 53 million homes to use gas in three years.

“Today, in the energy mix of cooking in Nigeria, firewood takes pride of place with 60 per cent, kerosene 30 per cent, coal five per cent, and cooking gas a dismal five per cent.’’

He said that such percentage came with a lot more responsibility.

The NALPGAM president also advocated for more efforts to be directed toward developing the local market for cooking gas.

Ogbuanu advised women to be at the vanguard of the fight for renewable energy and total conversion to liquefied petroleum gas in Nigeria.

“ There is need for massive outreach to women and indeed families on the need to embrace the use of liquefied petroleum gas, which is healthier, safer, and even more cost effective.

The NALPGAM boss identified the lack of infrastructure and an underdeveloped market structure as obstacles to the progress of Nigeria’s LPG industry.

He said that a widespread but inaccurate belief that gas was more expensive than traditional fuels was also an obstacle impeding the progress of the industry. (NAN)