Ondo residents decry rising cooking gas prices, seek intervention

By Boye Oyeyemi

Residents of communities in Ondo State have lamented the rising cost of cooking gas, saying the development has further strained household finances amid prevailing economic challenges.

A survey conducted across major towns showed that the price of cooking gas now ranges between N1,900 and N2,000 per kilogram, forcing many families to reduce consumption and seek alternative cooking fuels.

A resident, Mr. Sunday Afolabi, said the persistent increase in the cost of gas had become a major burden for families struggling to meet daily needs.

“The price keeps going up every few months. Many families can no longer afford to refill their cylinders regularly, and this is affecting our standard of living,” he said.

Also speaking, a trader, Mrs. Funmilayo Adeyemi, noted that the situation had affected small businesses, particularly food vendors who depend heavily on gas for their operations.

She said, “We spend much more on cooking gas now than we did a year ago. To survive, many business owners have increased the prices of their products, which is also affecting customers.”

Another resident, Mr. Tunde Ojo of Ikare-Akoko, expressed concern that many households were returning to the use of firewood and charcoal because they were relatively cheaper despite their health and environmental implications.

The residents appealed to the Federal Government and stakeholders in the energy sector to implement measures that would reduce the cost of cooking gas, warning that continued price increases could undermine efforts to promote clean energy adoption in rural communities.