The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), has said that Lagos State government levies are discouraging its members from accessing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to lift products.

The Lagos State Government in the drive for revenue has imposed levies on petroleum products trucks, including LPG trucks moving in and out of the State.

Reacting, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), said these levies have paralysed loading activities at Dangote Refinery since Saturday 22nd February 2025.

In a statement titled, ?Looming LPG Scarcity,? the association, stated: ?The boycott of the Refinery by truck drivers as a result of the extortions by these agencies will result in a mass scarcity of cooking gas if the government does not address the situation immediately.

?We, therefore, call on the Lagos State Government, the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), and the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) to urgently intervene.

?It is imperative that these agencies cease their harassment of tanker drivers and put an end to the collection of illegal fees. The current strike action that is affecting loadings at all the terminals in Lagos, if allowed to continue, may spread to other states of the Federation, the overall effect of which will have far-reaching consequences on the economy and the well-being of Nigerians.?

The association noted that the price of LPG has been on the downward trend since December 2024, when it peaked at over N24m for a 20MT truck and caused panic among marketers of this essential product.

It stated: ?There were concerns that most Nigerians would not be able to afford it and therefore the fear of a bleak yuletide for many Nigerian homes.

?When the price of cooking gas soared to above N24m per 20MT and the retail price was almost N2, 000.00 per kg NALPGAM took these concerns to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, advocating for a way out so that Nigerians would not return to the use of dirty fuels as their source of cooking energy with the attendant health implications because of the high cost of LPG. The Minister intervened and prices started coming down.

?Dangote Refinery seems to have provided succour with the commencement of LPG supply into the domestic market. This has been consistent since December 2024 and at a volume that has made the product market relatively stable with availability.

?This has seen the price moved downwards from over N24m to about N16m for a 20MT truck. The positive impact of this has been greatly felt in Lagos and most other states in the country compelling other producers and suppliers to bring down their prices too. If the trend persists, the good news is that every household will conveniently afford LPG.

?The entrant of Dangote Refinery into the LPG domestic market is bringing a great relief and Nigerians pray that it is sustained to make LPG available and affordable. Recent events especially in Lagos State however, may truncate the joy of Nigerians and if the situation is not urgently addressed, there is an imminent scarcity of cooking gas looming in the country.?(Vanguard)

Update news