NLPGA urges govt to implement its two years LPG plan

The Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA) has urged the federal government to implement its plan to transmit five million homes to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) otherwise called cooking gas in next two years.

NLPGA President, Mr Dayo Adesina, who stated this during the 6th annual conference and exhibition of the association held recently in Lagos, said Nigeria must move quickly in the direction of greater per capita consumption of gas, noting that it was a more efficient and safer alternative to traditional fuels.

“The only way we can achieve this is when the government begins to implement its plan to transit five million homes to LPG in the next two years. NLPGA has an annual target of LPG consumption volume of at least five million, up from the current annual consumption rate of about 400,000 metric tonnes. This can be achieved if we replicate the success story of Indonesia, which was able to get 53 million homes to use gas in three years.

“Today, in the energy mix of cooking, firewood takes pride of place with 60 per cent, kerosene 30 per cent, coal five per cent, and LPG a dismal five per cent,” Mr Adesina stated, adding that with such percentage comes with a lot more responsibility.

Peter Cameron, a UK based expert and one of the speakers at the event, advocated for more effort to be directed towards developing the local market for LPG.

He said that the world was awash with gas and that the times were not suited for a continued reliance on oil exports either.

President of the Nigeria Gas Association ( NGA), Dada Thomas, identified the lack of infrastructure, an underdeveloped market structure and a widespread but inaccurate belief that gas was more expensive than traditional fuels, as the major obstacles that were impeding the progress of Nigeria’s LPG industry.

During the conference, NLPGA launched Women In LPG, (WINLPG) in Nigeria. Country Director, Africare Nigeria, Dr Orode Doherty said women were crucial to the campaign for greater LPG use, especially because they were more involved in cooking, an activity which accounts for much of the consumption of less efficient fuels like kerosene and firewood in the country.

Other women who gave a voice for the promotion of LPG among women include Nikki Brown, Chair of the WINLPG Global Network; Alison Abbot, Communications Director, WLPGA; and Nkechi Obi, Executive Vice-President, Techno Oil and coordinator, WINLPG in Nigeria.

Actress Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde was also unveiled as the brand ambassador for the NLPGA. Dayo Adesina referred to her new role with the NLPGA as “a great addition to the fight for renewable energy and total conversion to liquefied petroleum gas in Nigeria.”

Omotola on her part said “We must now reach out to women and indeed families on the need to embrace the use of liquefied petroleum gas, which is healthier, safer, and even more cost effective.”