By Bridget Uju Nwoye
Residents of Anambra State are expressing growing concern following a fresh increase in the price of cooking gas, as the ripple effects of recent adjustments by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) continue to impact households and businesses.
The development follows a broader upward review in gas pricing by the NMDPRA, which raised the domestic base price of natural gas to $2.18 per MMBtu effective April 2026, citing market realities and regulatory provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act.
At a gas retail outlet in Nkpor, a dealer, Mr. Jude Okafor, expressed that the increase has significantly reduced patronage.
“Before now, people refill regularly, but now many customers complain and either buy smaller quantities or stop completely. Sales have dropped,” he said.
A food vendor in Nkpor Mr. Emeka Obi, noted that the rising cost is affecting his business.
“If I increase food price, customers complain. If I don’t, I run at a loss. Gas is essential for us, so this increase is really affecting us.”
He said that with the hike, many households in Anambra and across Nigeria may be forced to seek alternative energy sources, raising concern about environmental and health implications.
Bridget is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
