NLNG dedicated to capacity LPG supply to Nigerian market
- Demands deeper LPG penetration to cut kitchen fumes
Sopuruchi Onwuka
The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Limited has declared delivery of its total stock of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas produced at its process plants to the Nigerian market.
The declaration is followed by the company’s called for increased rural consumer awareness on displacement of biomass with LPG for cooking in order to cut health risks associated with kitchen fumes.
Company spokesman, Mr Andy Odeh, proclaimed in a media statement that dedication of cooking gas supply to the domestic market falls in line with the decision of the company’s board of directors to ease access to domestic fuel in the country.
He made it clear that the company has in compliance with the directive committed to deliver 100 percent of its LPG production to the domestic market since 2022.
The statement came in response to misleading reports that the NLN supplies 1.5 million metric tons of LPG to the Nigerian domestic market.
“NLNG would like to clarify that it annually provides close to 500,000 metric tons of LPG to meet market demands. This is in pursuit of its commitment to deliver 100% of its LPG production to the domestic market, a decision made by the Company’s Board of Directors in 2022.
“In 2023, NLNG supplied 493,000 metric tons of LPG to the domestic market. In the preceding years, NLNG delivered 498,000 metric tons in 2022 and 399,000 in 2021. Currently, NLNG caters to 30% of the total LPG demand in the country which is currently estimated to be about 1.5 million metric tons.
“NLNG maintains a firm commitment to supplying LPG to the domestic market. Additionally, the Company remains focused on promoting increased gas utilisation within the country and raising awareness about the use of clean gas for cooking to mitigate health risks associated with firewood usage.
“NLNG takes pride in its role in the LPG sector, facilitating the entry of more stakeholders into the LPG value chain and encouraging investments in infrastructure development to bolster sectoral growth. This endeavour has contributed to the creation of additional employment and business opportunities in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the NLNG stated that enhanced use of LPG as kitchen fuel would drastically reduce the health risks associated with use of firewood for cooking in the rural areas of the country.
The company’s General Manager in charge of Finance, Mrs Fatima Adanan, told delegates at the just concluded National Oil Companies Forum on Day Three of the 7th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja that increased consumer awareness on the health benefits of displacing biomass with LPG has become urgent.
She underscored the need for a campaign that aims to transition biomass users to LPG for cooking in the market, saying that the goal is to increase LPG usage in Nigeria, alter the current energy mix and achieve deeper penetration of LPG.
With the NLNG responsible for some 30 percent of the 1.5 million metric tons of LPG consumed in the country per year, she pointed out, there is immense potential for demand to increase exponentially. She made it clear that NLNG supplies close to 500,000 metric tons to meet the market’s demand, fulfilling its commitment to supply 100% of its LPG production to the domestic market.
Mrs. Adanan emphasized that NLNG was doing everything within its power to make the product available and affordable, selling the LPG at a competitive price with payments made in Naira.
She said the company was ready to work with stakeholders to deepen LPG utilisation and called on indigenous companies to participate actively in the distribution network and contribute to a robust value chain.
She stressed that NLNG remains committed to promoting the adoption of cooking gas as a superior and environmentally friendly cooking fuel, aiming to safeguard consumers and the environment from the risks associated with alternative fuels, which aligns with its environmental safety priorities.
