Cooking gas retailers in Enugu State have raised concerns over a sharp decline in sales as soaring Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices force many residents to switch to charcoal for cooking.
The traders say the continuous increase in gas prices has significantly reduced patronage, with many customers now buying smaller quantities or abandoning gas entirely due to economic hardship.
Some retailers revealed that customers who previously purchased up to five or seven kilograms of gas now buy only two kilograms, while overall sales volumes have dropped drastically.
The sellers blamed unstable market prices and rising supplier costs for the situation, urging the Federal Government to intervene by addressing factors driving the increase in LPG prices.
Residents also expressed frustration over the rising cost of cooking gas, noting that the burden has become unbearable for low-income households already struggling with inflation and high living costs.
The retailers warned that unless urgent measures are taken to stabilize prices, more households may continue to rely on alternative cooking fuels such as charcoal.
