30th January, 2017
Some suppliers and distributors of firewood in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said that there had been an overwhelming increase in demand for firewood due to the increase in prices of cooking fuel and gas.
The suppliers, who spoke to reporters on Monday said that the sudden rise in the price of domestic cooking fuel and gas had been beneficial to their business.
They said that the increase in the price of gas and fuel like kerosene, which went up from N320 per litre to N500 per litre, had made residents look forward to firewood as a cheaper alternative for cooking.
A firewood supplier, Mrs Glory Dauda, said that the increase in demand for firewood had taken her by surprise.
“I have been in this business for nine years and I have never witnessed such a rise in demand within a short time.
“I learnt that filling up a gas cylinders of 12.5kg went from N4, 000 to N5, 500 and two days after, I sold twice the usual quantity of firewood expected.
“I was really surprised that a larger number of Abuja residents would decide to use firewood as a substitute for gas and kerosene, “she said.
Another firewood supplier, Mr Audu Pindar, said that he was sure that the inflation would stimulate Abuja residents to realise the benefits of cooking with firewood.
“I supply firewood to customers here in Lugbe, Kuje and Nyanya and I cannot deny the fact that I am happy that people have decided to use the cheapest mode of cooking in their households.
“The poor economic performance has made many Nigerians cut back on their expenditure.
“The rise in the price of kerosene and cooking gas has caused a level of financial stress on many Nigerians, making people realise that firewood is inexpensive and good for cooking.
“The amount of firewood I sold last week alone was equivalent to the sales made in the first two weeks of January and I am really happy about that.
“The price hike of cooking fuel and gas has definitely made me smile to the bank,” he said.
Mrs Davina Onjewu, a civil servant, said, “I was forced to purchase firewood over the weekend because I could not imagine spending so much money on cooking gas monthly.
“I have a large family. Therefore, our cooking gas does not last as long as we would want. So, if I want to feed my family conveniently, I have to cook at our backyard with firewood.
“I was able to purchase a reasonable number of logs of wood for just N2, 000 and I am sure it will sustain us for a convenient period of time.
“I am sure that more people will see the need to purchase firewood when the constant purchase of kerosene and cooking gas becomes inconvenient.