Kogi Stae government lead by Governor Yahaya Bello has outlawed the production of charcoal in all of Kogi State's 21 local government areas.
Victor Omofaiye, the Commissioner for the Environment, announced this on Saturday in a statement.
He claimed that charcoal manufacture was unlawful and strictly prohibited in Kogi, and that anyone discovered creating or possessing the fuel would be detained and prosecuted.
"Any vehicle caught carrying charcoal shall be impounded by the Kogi State Government," he said.
Due to the high cost of domestic cooking gas and kerosene, the sale of charcoal has become a profitable business in Kogi.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), often known as cooking gas, has risen in price from N250 to N350 per kilogram to between N650 and N750 per kg, while kerosene has risen from N220 to N350 per litre.
Residents who couldn't afford the exorbitant costs of gas and kerosene were forced to rely on charcoal.
As a result of this trend, many people have turned to charcoal manufacture and marketing to meet their household needs while also making a profit.
Because of the strong demand, a bag of charcoal that previously cost for between N900 and N1,200 in Lokoja now sells for between N1,800 and N2,200.
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