Oil marketers attribute the scarcity of household kerosene to low patronage and reduced demand. PETROAN President Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry noted that changing consumption patterns have led to decreased kerosene use, despite rising consumer complaints and high prices.
PETROAN President Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry explained that there are two types of kerosene: Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), used for both domestic and aviation purposes, and Household Kerosene (HHK), used strictly for home use. He noted that the rise of gas and firewood alternatives has reduced demand for both DPK and HHK. While kerosene is still occasionally supplied to stations, consumer demand is much lower than in the past.
Gillis-Harry said NNPC Ltd. supplies only HHK for home use, but low demand means a 45,000-litre allocation can take months to sell, affecting business sustainability. He urged consumers to buy from certified stations and dismissed claims of kerosene being mixed with aviation fuel, noting NNPC strictly warns against such practices.
IPMAN President Alhaji Maigandi Garima confirmed the decline in kerosene demand, attributing it to the growing use of LPG (cooking gas). He noted that despite loading kerosene from Port Harcourt and Dangote refineries, sales remain slow, often taking over two months.
Due to scarcity, some consumers are buying kerosene on the black market at prices between N1,500 and N2,000 per litre.
