Some residents of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, say they have now resorted to using firewood as they can no longer afford cooking gas.

Those who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lafia decried the surging price of Liquefied Natural Gas also known as cooking gas which is making life more difficult for their families.

Abdullahi Musa, a resident, said his family had to resort to the use of kerosene stove and firewood for cooking as he could no longer cope given his lean resources.

Mr Musa said that a kilogramme of gas that sold for about N380 a month ago, now sells for between N518 and N520.

“We have no choice than to go back to using firewood to cook in spite of its implication on our health and the environment.

“It is so unfortunate that you cannot predict  the price per kg when next you come to refill.

“The Federal Government should urgently intervene in order to cushion the plight of the masses,” he said.

Also Blessing Akolo, student of Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic Lafia,  said that the hike in price coming at a time Nigerians were still grappling with the economic hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic was worrisome.

She added that their parents were going through a lot already to see them through school and that  the increase in the price of gas was making their situation worse.

Ms Akolo, therefore, appealed to the government to do something urgently to save the situation. 

Similarly, Abel Abimiku, a civil servant, noted that the situation was frustrating as his salary was too meagre to cater for the family needs.

Meanwhile, Bojo James, manager of Sky View Gas station Makurdi Road, Lafia, attributed the hike in price of the product to the devaluation of the naira, the high exchange rate as well as scarcity of dollars in the country.

He explained that a greater percentage of the cooking gas being sold in the country was imported.

“The price increase is also affecting our business as a lot of customers now resort to using firewood and charcoal for cooking,” he added.

He appealed to the government and all other stakeholders to work hard towards addressing the situation in the interest of the poor masses.

A market survey by Peoples Gazette on Sunday revealed that a 12.5 kilogramme of cooking gas now sells between N7,500 and N8,000 around the country.

(NAN)