Minister of State for Petroleum, Timpire Sylva has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is aware of the rise in the price of cooking gas.
According to him, the President is worried over the situation just like all other Nigerians.
Speaking in Abuha on Tuesday, Sylva further noted that although the price of the essential commodity was not regulated by Nigeria, some steps would be taken internally to provide some relief, ahead of the yuletide season.
“We must understand that cooking gas is not subsidized. It is already a deregulated commodity so the price is not determined by government or anybody here in Nigeria. In fact, gas prices are determined internationally.
“The price of gas internationally now affects the price of gas in our country.
“But there are some issues around Value Added Tax (VAT) charges and other taxes on imported gas, which we are handling.
“But, I want to assure you that we are quite concerned and the President also is very concerned; he is aware that the price of gas is high in the market and we are doing everything to see how we can bring down the price of gas, especially as the yuletide approaches,” he said.
On the transition of cars from the use of petrol to gas, he said government needed about N6 billion for the procurement of kits to convert the first one million cars as well as facilitate the procurement of equipment that would enable gas pump stations come on board.
