The Federal Government has commenced the free distribution of gas cylinders In a significant step towards promoting clean cooking energy across Nigeria.
This initiative is part of the ‘Decade of Gas’ program, aims to transition at least one million homes to clean cooking gas by 2030.
The program, tagged LPG grassroots penetration, plans to distribute approximately 250,000 gas cylinders to women in rural communities nationwide.
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At the launch of event held in the Apo Resettlement area of Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasized the administration’s commitment to increasing domestic gas usage.
Ekpo personally supervised the distribution of 1,000 gas-filled 3kg cylinders to rural women from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.
“We’re not only introducing a program today; we’re on a mission to change millions of Nigerians’ lives in our six geographical zones.
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By 2030, we want to convert 250,000 houses a year to clean cooking gas, which is a lofty but attainable target,” Ekpo stated.
He highlighted the health benefits for women and girls, who are most at risk from using traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, kerosene, and charcoal.
Mr. Ed Ubong, the Coordinating Director of the ‘Decade of Gas’ program, noted that the initiative, funded by the private sector, aims to eliminate the use of wood and kerosene in homes.
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He reiterated that the program aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s theme, “Gas to Prosperity, a Renewed Hope.”
“As part of the LPG grassroots programme, we are committed to moving over a million cooking cylinders, primarily to women in rural areas.
Cooking gas is cleaner, and Nigeria has significant gas resources. We will partner with the private sector under the supervision of the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) to deploy over a million cylinders at about 250,000 a year to all parts of Nigeria,” Ubong said.
This initiative is a crucial part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to promote sustainable energy use and improve the quality of life for its citizens, particularly those in rural communities.