Abuja:Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory are turning to firewood and charcoal due to the soaring prices of cooking gas, with prices fluctuating between ?1,380 and ?2,000 per kilogram.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, households in the area are adopting cheaper cooking methods to cope with the increasing cost of living. A survey indicated that charcoal now sells for between ?10,000 and ?15,000 per bag, while a mini-truck load of firewood is priced between ?10,000 and ?13,000.
Local firewood seller Mrs. Grace Ameh reported buying firewood in bulk for ?85,000 and selling five pieces for ?1,000. She noted that some residents prefer using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), while others rely on firewood, as both have their own advantages and challenges.
Charcoal vendor Mrs. Ngozi Okeke mentioned that the scarcity of kerosene has led some households to use charcoal, despite its price increase from ?3,000-?4,500 to ?9,000-?10,000 per bag over the past four years.
Resident Mrs. Asisat Yunusa shared that she refills cooking gas at ?1,500 per kilogram, lasting about five days. She noted that gas from filling stations lasts longer than that from black-market vendors.
Miss Sherifat Bello, another resident, combines cooking gas with charcoal due to its accessibility, stating that gas from black-market vendors costs ?1,700 per kilogram and lasts three to four days, whereas gas from filling stations lasts up to a week.
Taxi driver Mr. Paul Ibe explained that the cost and accessibility of cooking fuels are influencing household choices. He advocated for more affordable and accessible cooking fuel options to ease the financial burden and encourage cleaner cooking methods.