Domestic Gas Users Groan, Demand Reduction in Price
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Domestic gas users groan
Gift BARIKWA, PH
Sequel to the exorbitant cost of domestic gas in Nigeria, residents, gas dealers and food vendors in the oil rich Rivers State have called for immediate reduction in the price of cooking gas, even as they called for the establishment of a regulatory body.
The gas users made this demand last weekend when TNN carried out a vox pop on the incessant hike in the prices of commodities and how residents were coping with it.
Speaking with our correspondent in an exclusive interview, a food vendor who is the owner of Infinity restaurant and bar in Eneka community said “the increase in the cost of cooking gas is really affecting the profit I am making from my sales of food.
“I used to fill six litres of gas for N3000 but now I fill six litres for N4200 and also adding to the fact that the price of foodstuff has increased in the market.
“After selling, sometimes I don’t see my money; that’s why I have increased the price of my food to meet up my target. I sell native soup before for N500, but now I sell N700; this has made me lose some of my customers. The government should look into it. ”I want it to go back to N500 so I can continue doing this business.”
A gas dealer, Mr. Victor Essien in an interview with TNN said “the increase in gas is really affecting my sales; the turn-up was okay when it was low. Now it’s about 50 per cent of the sales I make. This increase favours the rich, the middle class and poor are affected the most, making them change to plan B which is stove and charcoal. I used to have gas in all my cylinders and I can sell more than two cylinders a day. Now I only fill 50kg which can stay in my hand sometimes for three days before it will finish.”
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Another respondent, Mr Eze Chukwu said “I bought gas before at the gas station at the price of N2,100 for 2kg while retailers sell N2,400. The difference is much, the gas price should go back to N500 because very soon, if I can’t cope, I will go back to stove or I start using fire wood to cook.
“The increase in the cost gas has prevented me from cooking certain food that consume gas; such as beans. My wife just gave birth so I boil water every day. It’s not easy for me at all. The price should come down.”
