The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is making significant strides towards enhancing the availability and affordability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Northern Nigeria. The recent commissioning of a 180-metric-tonne LPG filling plant in Kaduna, Kaduna State, marks a crucial milestone in this journey. This plant, a joint venture with Butane Energy Limited, is the second of five planned facilities aimed at boosting LPG supply in the region.

Back in 2021, the first plant, a 100MT LPG Storage and Bottling Plant, was commissioned in Kabukawa Layout, Katsina, Katsina State.

With the addition of the Kaduna plant four days ago, the combined storage capacity of these facilities now stands at 280MT. The upcoming plants in Kano, Bauchi, and Abuja will further increase this capacity to 1,000MT, significantly enhancing the region’s LPG infrastructure.

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The increased storage and distribution capacity is expected to have a positive impact on the affordability of cooking gas for households and business district canteens across Northern Nigeria.

By ensuring a steady and reliable supply of LPG, these plants can help stabilise prices and reduce the reliance on more expensive and environmentally harmful alternatives like kerosene and firewood.

As the next plant to be commissioned, Abuja holds a special significance in this initiative. The Federal Capital Territory, being a major hub, will benefit greatly from the enhanced LPG infrastructure.

The increased availability of affordable cooking gas in Abuja can set a precedent for other cities, encouraging a broader adoption of cleaner and more cost-effective cooking fuels.

During the commissioning ceremony in Kaduna, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation at NCDMB, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far. He highlighted the project’s importance in aligning with the Federal Government’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2026 and promoting cleaner alternatives to traditional cooking fuels.

Engr. Ogbe emphasised the role of these plants in catalysing in-country capacity development and job creation, with no fewer than 200 Nigerians gaining employment through these projects.

The NCDMB’s efforts to establish LPG filling plants across Northern Nigeria are a commendable step towards making cooking gas more accessible and affordable.

But when it comes to affordability specifically, it could seem like it is all just talk based on the uncontrollable way that locally produced fuel has been rising beyond the means of an average Nigerian.

In the middle of October, citizens unfortunately saw a kilogram of LPG climb up to ₦1500 and no one thought that was good.

With the upcoming plants in Kano, Bauchi, and Abuja, the region is set to witness a significant improvement in its LPG infrastructure even though total enjoyment is only guaranteed if production goes way up and there is hardly any need to import.

The Dangote Oil Refinery, off Lagos, coming on stream and ramping up its production capacity is anticipated to aid with supply in the long run so that the plants as they are being commissioned, are put to use.

When it comes to the stakeholders’ bond with Butane Energy Limited with whom an equity partnership has been entered, the executive secretary of the NCDMB Engr. Felix Ogbe sees a [bankable] business plan aimed at enhancing gas penetration in northern Nigeria.

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Meiza Nigeria