As cost of liquefied natural gas (LPG), known as cooking gas, skyrockets, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on the federal government to abolish the value added tax (VAT) on gas importation.
The union, in a statement jointly signed by its president, Mr. Festus Osifo, and general secretary, Mr. Lumumba Okugbowa, described as “disheartening” that the price of refilling 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas had gone up by nearly 100 per cent over the past one year.
“This is one singular product that is used by several households in the country. Currently, the cost of cooking gas has continued in steady climb from average of N4,500 at the beginning of 2021 to the current price of between N8,750 and N10,000 for the popular 12.5kg cylinder,” the union said.
PENGASSAN stated that most middle to upper class homes, especially in the urban areas, feel the effect of the increase adding that the poorer families are going through harrowing experience trying to cope, more so the price of kerosene had long skyrocketed and in many places scarce.
“We hereby call on the president to immediately abolish the VAT on gas importation,” the union said.
