The Federal Government on Tuesday launched the National Grassroots LPG Programme in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, aiming to transition five million Nigerian households from firewood and charcoal to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 2030. The initiative, part of the broader Decade of Gas Initiative, was unveiled by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Bayelsa Selected as Pilot State
Bayelsa was chosen as the pilot state for the programme, with 27,000 households set to receive free cooking gas cylinders in the first phase. Ekpo noted that the state's status as one of Nigeria's top gas-producing regions made it a logical starting point. He emphasized that Nigeria's proven natural gas reserves exceed 215 trillion cubic feet, and the programme is designed to ensure these resources directly benefit citizens.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State flagged off the cylinder distribution at the event, praising the federal government for the initiative. He stated that it would improve energy access while reducing environmental pollution across the state.
Government Intervention on Gas Prices
Ekpo revealed that the government had already taken steps to bring down LPG costs by directing gas producers to prioritize domestic supply over exports. He said, "When the price of gas was high, we engaged producers and told them Nigerians must come first. That intervention has contributed to the reduction in prices, and we will continue working with them to ensure LPG remains affordable."
This directive has helped stabilize the market, with retail prices dropping closer to N1,000 per kilogram, down from peaks of N1,800 per kg during severe shortages.
Wider Economic and Environmental Benefits
The minister framed the programme within President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting that wider access to cooking gas would reduce indoor air pollution, curb deforestation, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. He also argued that growing domestic LPG use would attract fresh investment across the value chain, including cylinder manufacturing, storage, transport, and retail, potentially generating thousands of jobs.
Ekpo added, "As we commence the state-level rollout from Bayelsa, our goal is to extend this programme across every state of the federation so that no Nigerian is left behind in the journey towards universal access to clean cooking energy."
Rollout Plans and State Support
The Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, E.D. Ubong, described the scheme as a major commitment under the Federal Government's plan to move five million households onto clean cooking energy before the end of the decade. The programme will be rolled out in phases across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Governor Diri commended the initiative, noting that it would alleviate the financial burden on households and improve public health. He assured that the state government would support the distribution and sensitization efforts.
LPG Prices Drop Amid Improved Supply
Earlier reports indicated that an increase in LPG supply has helped push retail prices closer to the N1,000 per kilogram mark, offering relief to households still grappling with high living costs. New data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) reveal that increased product inflows into local depots have stabilized availability across key markets, reversing the severe shortages that drove prices as high as N1,800 per kg.
The NMDPRA disclosed that Nigeria currently has about 18 days of national LPG sufficiency, reflecting improved stock levels nationwide. This development, combined with the government's directive to producers, is expected to maintain downward pressure on prices.
