NLNG to inject 1.4m LPG of 12.5kg cylinders

As part of its efforts to ensure that the market is wet with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPg) otherwise called cooking gas, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNg) Ltd has concluded plans to inject additional 13,000 tonnes of the cooking gas which is an equivalent of 1.4 million of 12.5kg cylinders.

The intention of the company is to force down the price of the cooking gas which is being currently sold at an average of N6000 per 12.5kg cylinder instead of an average price of N3000 per 12.5kg cylinder.

Speaking with select journalists on the development, Mr Tony Okenedo, who spoke on behalf of the E thermal Relations Team of NLNG told Nigerian Tribune that “As we speak, development on the NLNG effort to supply LPG to the market is that the vessel has loaded LPG in bonny, has turned around and is back in Lagos. The vessel is behind another vessel and once that vessel completes its process of discharge, the LPG vessel will enter into the discharged facility and offload another 13,000 tonnes.”

It would be recalled that ‘Gaz Providence’ vessel had earlier successfully discharged 13,000 tonnes of LPG into the market.

The NLNG external relations team explained that the company will continue its effort to ensure supply and price stability of LPG to the market.

Meanwhile, two vessels acquired by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Sahara Energy joint venture, West African Gas Limited (WAGL) are expected to ensure stability of cooking gas in the country.

The two LPG carriers with a combined capacity of 38,000 cubic meters were named “MT Africa Gas” and “MT Sahara Gas” by the wives of the Group Managing Director of NNPC and the Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power, Mrs Hajja Maikanti Baru and Mrs Jamila Saidu Mohammed respectively, in keeping with maritime custom that spouses of the sponsors of the ships perform those aspects of the ceremony.

At the inauguration of the vessels built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, HMD, in Ulsan, South Korea, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, expressed gratitude to all the partners who helped to actualise the ship acquisition vision of the parent companies and the management of WAGL.

“I am particularly delighted that the venture we started a few years ago has achieved this enviable milestone today as we take delivery of these vessels”, Dr Baru said.

According to the Baru, WAGL was established in March 2013 while the shipbuilding contract for the two LPG carriers was entered into in May 2014.

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Y. S. Han said the naming ceremony was the first at HMD this year, upbeat that it was with its new customer, WAGL.

Han thanked the managements of NNPC, Sahara Energy and WAGL for their cooperation and support throughout the period of construction of the vessels and prayed that the vessels would perform their intended services successfully and bring good fortune to WAGL and their parent companies.

All these efforts were aimed at cushioning the effects of scarcity of cooking gas in Nigeria as Nigerians are groaning due to scarcity of the product and hardship they encounter in purchasing kerosene.