HURIWA Faults Rising Cooking Gas Prices, Says Economic Hardship Threatens Right to Life

The (HURIWA) has condemned the sharp increase in the price of cooking gas across Nigeria, describing the trend as a form of economic cruelty that threatens the welfare and survival of millions of citizens.

In a statement issued on Friday, the association expressed concern over reports that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, is now selling for as much as N2,000 per kilogram in several parts of the country.

The rights group said the rising cost of cooking gas has placed an essential household commodity beyond the reach of many Nigerians and further compounded the cost-of-living challenges facing families nationwide.

National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the escalating prices should not be viewed solely as an economic issue but as a serious human rights concern with far-reaching social consequences.

According to the association, the inability of households to afford cooking gas could worsen hunger, malnutrition and health challenges, particularly among vulnerable groups already struggling with rising food prices, transportation costs, electricity tariffs and healthcare expenses.

“It is unacceptable that in a country endowed with vast natural resources, citizens are being subjected to economic conditions that make basic survival increasingly difficult,” the statement said.

HURIWA argued that the situation undermines the constitutional responsibility of government to safeguard the welfare and well-being of citizens. The group maintained that the right to life extends beyond protection from physical violence and includes creating conditions that enable citizens to live with dignity and access basic necessities.

The association expressed concern over what it described as inadequate regulatory intervention to address the activities of market actors allegedly exploiting prevailing economic conditions to drive up prices.

According to HURIWA, governments across the world deploy consumer protection measures, market interventions and regulatory mechanisms to prevent excessive pricing of essential commodities and protect citizens from exploitation.

The group criticized what it called the government’s reliance on market forces, arguing that Nigerians should not be left vulnerable to profiteering amid worsening economic hardship.

HURIWA therefore called on the administration of President to urgently investigate the factors responsible for the increase in cooking gas prices and implement measures aimed at stabilizing the market.

The association also urged relevant regulatory agencies to identify and sanction individuals or companies found to be engaging in exploitative pricing practices.

It further recommended targeted interventions and fiscal measures to ease the burden on consumers and make cooking gas more affordable for households.

The rights group warned that failure to address the situation could force more families to resort to firewood and charcoal for cooking, with potential consequences for public health, environmental sustainability and household welfare.

HURIWA maintained that the effectiveness of governance should be measured by its impact on citizens’ lives, stressing that policies or regulatory failures that contribute to widespread hardship, hunger and suffering cannot be justified in a democratic society.

The association called on government at all levels to take proactive steps to protect citizens from economic exploitation and ensure that basic necessities remain accessible to ordinary Nigerians.