Residents of Bauchi have voiced frustration over the sharp rise in the cost of cooking gas, a situation worsened by the growing scarcity of the product across the state.
A survey of several gas retail outlets in the metropolis revealed that the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has increased by more than 40 per cent over the past five months.
The challenge has been aggravated by limited supply, with many filling stations and gas outlets reporting depleted stock levels.
Currently, a kilogramme of cooking gas sells for about N1,700, compared to N1,200 recorded a few months ago.
Nnemeka Chidi, a cashier at a gas outlet in the Yelwa area of Bauchi, attributed the development to rising market prices, noting that the increase has significantly affected patronage.
According to him, many customers who previously bought large quantities now purchase only small amounts to manage costs.
“Most customers now buy between one and five kilogrammes,” he said.
Faith Dano, a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, said the persistent increase in prices has placed additional financial pressure on her.
She explained that she now purchases no more than two kilogrammes of gas at a time and increasingly relies on an electric cooker for daily meals.
Mohammad Yusuf, a businessman who visited a gas outlet to refill his cylinder, acknowledged the rising cost but maintained that cooking gas remains preferable to charcoal and firewood because of its convenience and efficiency.
For Maimuna Isah, a homemaker, the soaring price of gas has forced a return to charcoal despite the challenges associated with its use.
She said gas is now reserved mainly for boiling water for her children before school, while other cooking tasks are done with alternative fuels.
Many residents urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to address supply challenges and implement measures that would help stabilise prices, particularly for low-income households struggling with rising living costs.