PUNCH
When millions of households switched to liquefied natural gas for cooking, they saw it as a modern, safer, and more convenient alternative to kerosene and firewood. But what was initially hailed as a breakthrough has begun to reveal its darker side. As gas prices continue to soar and reports of underfilled cylinders circulate, consumers are increasingly feeling the sting of hidden costs, BABATUNDE TITILOLA writes
“I only cooked thrice and boiled water once!” the middle-aged woman yelled at the gas refill shop attendant, her voice loud and demanding. Her fury was palpable, not just in her words, but in her whole demeanour. Passersby were taken aback by her aggressive presence.
What was meant to be a typical Sunday afternoon in Cele, Akeran in Ogun State, had turned into a dramatic street confrontation, akin to a reality show unfolding in real-time.
On the morning of October 6, Blessing, a mother of two had woken up, feeling the heat of frustration.
Her mind immediately fixated on the empty gas cylinder in her kitchen as she prepared for church. The thought of canceling her plans to visit the gas refill shop briefly crossed her mind.
However, upon realising the shop wouldn’t open until the afternoon, she resigned herself to the idea of handling it after the service.
Earlier in the week, she had sent her eldest son to refill the cylinder with two kilogrammes of liquefied natural gas. The family enjoyed a hearty dinner that night, and the leftover food was reheated for breakfast the following morning.
It seemed like everything was going smoothly, until Saturday evening, when Blessing’s son, tasked with heating water for dinner, came back with disheartening news—the gas had run out.
At first, Blessing could hardly grasp the news. How could the gas deplete so quickly, after only three days of use? She mentally replayed every step, trying to find an explanation.
The cylinder couldn’t have been left loose—she had made it a habit to check it carefully after each cooking session to ensure everything was secure.
Finally, Blessing’s thoughts turned to the gas refill shop. She suspected that her son had been shortchanged during the refill.
After a brief interrogation, her suspicions grew stronger.
“My son said the person who filled the gas told him that he added extra gas for him. Can someone just give gas for free?” Blessing wondered aloud, the injustice beginning to sink in.
Her mind remained preoccupied with this troubling thought throughout the church service.
She barely registered the sermon; the pastor’s words faded into the background as she replayed the situation in her head.
The anger brewed like a volcano about to erupt in her chest, fueled by the unfairness of what had happened and the inconvenience it caused her family.
The moment the service ended with a prayer, and the congregation said goodbyes, Blessing could no longer contain herself.
She stormed out of the church, heading straight to the gas shop, ready to confront the attendant and demand an explanation for the exploitation she believed she had suffered.
Heated scenes at gas shop
The young attendant sprang from his chair as soon as he spotted Blessing marching toward the shop.
Before he could utter a word, she unleashed a torrent of her pent-up frustration.
Standing just outside, she poured out her grievances, her voice echoing with fury. Passersby stopped, visibly shocked but drawn in by the drama unfolding.
“How does it make sense that two kilogrammes of gas last only three days?” she demanded, her tone a mixture of disbelief and anger.
“What happened? I was shocked when my child came to me and said the gas had finished. The gas we filled just three days ago! How can you claim to add an extra two kilogrammes and it runs out in three days? What did I cook with it?”
Despite the attendant’s efforts to calm her down, Blessing remained resolute. “I did not do anything. I filled the amount the boy paid for,” he insisted. But his words only seemed to fuel her rage.
“I did not want to go to church today. I planned to come here and scatter this place,” Blessing snapped, adjusting her dress defiantly.
“It’s only because I went to church that I’m this calm. But whatever you want to do, I don’t care. All I know is that I am not leaving here without you filling my cylinder. Any way you want to fill it, I don’t care.”
Despite pleas from the attendant and a passerby, Blessing remained resolute in her demand for a refill, appearing completely unbothered. Ultimately, it became evident that the attendant had no choice but to compensate her by refilling at least one kilogramme of gas.
