The Federal Government’s ministry of Petroleum Resources on Tuesday, May 28, commenced the free distribution of filled three-kilogrammes cooking gas cylinders, popularly called camp gas to rural women in the Federal Capital Territory. The aim was to encourage the use of gas in the homes. The government is targeting to give the cylinders to 250,000 homes annually across the country.
Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), while speaking at the flag-off of the programme at Apo Resettlement area of Abuja said the administration was determined to increase domestic gas usage.
Ekpo supervised the handing over of 1,000 numbers of 3kg cylinders filled with gas to rural women drawn from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory. He explained that the government’s push for the use of gas as the cooking fuel of choice would improve the health of women and girls who bear the greatest risk in the use of traditional cooking fuel.
He said that “We’re not only introducing a program today; we’re on a mission to change millions of Nigerians’ lives in our six geographical zones. By 2030, we want to convert 250,000 houses a year to clean cooking gas, which is a lofty but attainable target.
“This program is evidence of our steadfast dedication to lessening the over-reliance on solid fuels, which for a long time served as many households’ primary source of energy and include firewood, kerosene, and charcoal.
“In order to ensure a cleaner environment, enhance public health, and promote sustainable development, we must encourage the usage and adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Our initiative today is a clear indicator that we are headed in the right direction and a direct reflection of that resolve.
“Additionally, the goal of this effort is to improve women’s inclusion and provide employment opportunities for our youth. Transitioning to clean cooking gas will be especially beneficial for women, who are disproportionately affected by the health effects of traditional cooking methods.
“We are advancing gender equality and economic empowerment by providing them with safer and more effective energy solutions,” Ekpo added
Mr. Ed Ubong, the Coordinating Director, ‘Decade of Gas’ program, said the programme which is funded by the private sector would bring an end to the use of woods and kerosene in homes.
“Decade of Gas’ program is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s theme: “Gas to Prosperity, a Renewed Hope. As part of the LPG grassroots programme, we would be committed to see how we can move over a million cooking cylinders, mainly to women, in rural areas.
“Cooking gas is cleaner and Nigeria has significant gas resources and so we will be partnering with the private sector working under the supervision of the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) to see how we can deploy over a million cylinders at about 250,000 a year to all parts of Nigeria”.
“A key part of this programme is documentation. Each of the women that received cylinders, we collected their numbers, we know their addresses and we will continue to work with them to ensure that they are actually utilising these gas cylinders.”
