Urges NMDPRA to curb hoarding, exploitation

Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify the monitoring of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) depots nationwide to curb hoarding and sharp practices capable of reversing the recent decline in cooking gas prices.
 
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who gave the directive in a statement signed by his Spokesman, Louis Ibah, said the move was aimed at ensuring compliance among marketers and distributors in the wake of reports of profiteering despite improving supply levels.
 
Ekpo, who expressed concern over the recent spike in LPG prices, appealed for calm and understanding from Nigerians, assuring that the situation is temporary and will normalise very soon.
 
According to him, the earlier increase in LPG prices was largely due to the industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the Dangote Refinery, which temporarily halted LPG loading, and ongoing maintenance activities at the Nigeria LNG Train 4 facility, which reduced the volume of LPG available in the domestic market.

The minister, however, confirmed that operations at the Dangote Refinery have resumed, with LPG loading to the domestic market already underway. He added that the Bonny River Terminal operated by Seplat Energy had commenced loading, while the NLNG is gradually restoring normal operations as maintenance nears completion.
 
Ekpo reiterated that the LPG market had been regulated and urged marketers, distributors, and other stakeholders in the gas value chain to be patriotic in their dealings, desist from hoarding, and refrain from exploiting consumers for profit. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring adequate and affordable gas supply to all households across the country.