Stephen Ibe (Stakeholder)
Stephen Ibe (Stakeholder)
Gas is a part of energy and power in Nigeria, thus making it more available to Nigerians goes a long way. Bu, the nonchalant attitude on the side of our government is the problem we have towards the issue of gas circulation. We have enough resources to make LPG available to every Nigerian in surplus and even sell to neighbouring countries. There are countries that do not have the kinds of natural resources that we have, yet they have the product in excess but the lukewarm attitude on the side of our government cannot produce the commodity for the common man. The way out is to repair our refineries. If the government can be able to refurbish the refineries I think LPG will be available.
David Pius (Activist)
In this country, we all have a stake in the development and sometimes I wonder why what we have as natural resources are not made available for the common man and I feel it is a problem. The LPG is one of the resources that we find difficult to get and I wonder why; despite the gas flaring in some parts of the country. I must say that the bulk of the blame on why LPG is not made available to more Nigerians is the government, because of their negligent on the refineries; there is need to fix those refineries.
Michael Emiko (Entrepreneur)
My opinion on the issue is that government should put in place policies that will encourage massive production of LPG. Another point is that the government should also sanction companies that flare the product because it is a waste which can be converted for consumption. And apart from fixing the refineries, I think the above mention points can aid the availability of the product for Nigerians. Government has a crucial role to play for it to be in abundance, there is also the need to bring in private firms to boost LPG production in the country.
Pastor Uzor Andrew (Car Dealer)
We have LPG in abundance in this country, only that it is for the upper class citizens as it is to most of us, it is not available in Nigeria but it is exported to other neighbouring countries and that is where the government has failed. The government is making good money from gas, but the common man has not benefited from it and the way out of the issue is for government to rethink on how to provide the product for the average citizen because the policies of government goes a long way for it to be more available for her citizens.
Alhajı Auwalu Ilu (Presıdent, Nıg. Assocıatıon of LPG operators)
The avaılabılıty is no longer an issue, we have a dedicated vessel that is serving the domestic market, Nigerian NLNG also produces a lot, it is there for us to take anytime we want. But there are lots of issues; first is the issue of perception, the affordability and the issue of competing energy source. People are used to kerosene and firewood, it has been very difficult to get people to change this attitude, but I am happy to say that every year, the consumption level is ıncreasıng, we are making process. Sooner or later Nigeria will become a gas utılıser.
Adebayo Ikotun (Cıvıl Servant)
The avaılabılıty is not realistic, government can only beat down the price to its barest minimum. Nigeria has a population of about 180mıllıon people and if you carry out a survey, you will find out that only 10 percent use cooking gas, this is why I said that the only role government can play is to slash the price. Another thing to consider is the high risk attached to LPG, the government in collaboration with critical stakeholders has to educate the populace especially the lower class, they need to be enlightened properly on the management and handling of the product. Many people do not also know that maintenance of cooking gas is cheaper that kerosene, the 12.5kg of cooking gas actually now goes for N3, 500. This is why I said the government should come in, by reducing the price of cylinder, the burner and so on.
Benson Ogbuagwu (Clergy)
I understand that we have more than enough gas to go round in this country, but the problem is the start-up kits; that is, the cylinder, the burner and the hose. What you have to consider is that those materials are not produced in Nigeria, so government must first of all look into this area. Other factors to look into which I believe are secondary are price control, awareness, managing the risk factor and the avaılabılıty.
Tunde Akınduro (Entrepreneur)
The production must first of all be increased, secondly the price has to come down, if you look at kerosene now, people prefer to use it because it is cheaper. I buy four liters of kerosene for N400 and I use it for three weeks. If our refineries are repaired, it will equally assist in the avaılabılıty of gas.
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