The Federal Government has commenced the free distribution of gas cylinders, aiming to transition at least one million homes to clean cooking gas by 2030.
This initiative, part of the ‘Decade of Gas’ program, was inaugurated yesterday in the Apo Resettlement area of Abuja.
The launch event saw the distribution of 1,000 gas cylinders, each filled with 3kg of gas, to women from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory. This marks the beginning of the government’s plan to distribute approximately 250,000 cylinders annually, focusing on rural communities nationwide.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasized the administration’s commitment to increasing domestic gas usage. He highlighted the health benefits for women and girls, who are most affected by the harmful effects of traditional cooking fuels like firewood, kerosene, and charcoal.
“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,” said Ekpo.
The Coordinating Director of the ‘Decade of Gas’ program, Ed Ubong, noted that the initiative, funded by the private sector, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of “Gas to Prosperity, a Renewed Hope.” Ubong stated, “Cooking gas is cleaner and Nigeria has gas resources. We will be partnering with the private sector, under the supervision of the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), to deploy over a million cylinders, prioritizing rural women.”
