The Federal Government on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of free Liquified Petroleum Gas cylinders across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory FCT.
Key Highlights:
- FG launched free LPG cylinder distribution across 36 states and FCT in Bayelsa.
- The programme aims to move five million households to clean cooking gas by 2030.
- Bayelsa will benefit about 27,000 households under the initiative.
- FG said the scheme will reduce reliance on firewood and protect the environment.
- Governor Diri urged extension of free refills to ensure sustainability.
The project targeting to transition five million households to the use of LPG by 2030 was launched in Bayelsa by the Minister of State Petroleum (Gas) Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
In his address, the Minister described the launch as a historic milestone, noting that Bayelsa becomes the first state to host the state-level LPG cylinder distribution programme.
He said the programme was designed to make clean cooking energy more accessible to households, reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal, improve public health, protect the environment and stimulate economic opportunities along the LPG value chain.
Ekpo stated that the initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Tinubu administration.
He also assured beneficiaries that refill centres would be established closer to communities to make access to LPG more convenient, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that gas prices remain affordable for ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, commended President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Initiative, describing it as a bold step towards improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Governor Diri also said the scheme, which targets the distribution of compressed cylinders gas to vulnerable Nigerians that have long relied on firewood for cooking, would reduce wood logging, deforestation and the attendant environmental impact.
The scheme is expected to cover no fewer than 27,000 beneficiaries in the state.
Governor Diri said the programme marked a significant shift in the Federal Government’s approach to ensuring that communities that produce the nation’s oil and gas resources also enjoy the benefits of cleaner and safer energy.
He noted that for decades, communities in the Niger Delta suffered environmental degradation, poverty and neglect despite contributing immensely to the nation’s economy, stressing that the LPG initiative signals the beginning of a positive change.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), development partners and sponsors for bringing the programme to Bayelsa, saying the initiative aligns with the state’s commitment to improving the quality of life of its people.
He explained that the transition from firewood to gas would not only reduce environmental degradation but also improve public health by limiting exposure to harmful smoke associated with traditional cooking methods.
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The governor urged residents to embrace clean cooking energy and discard the misconception that food prepared with firewood was superior.
While applauding the decision to provide beneficiaries six free cylinder refills, Diri appealed for a review of the implementation framework to allow for a longer transition period before states assume the responsibility.
He proposed that the refill arrangement be extended to a two-year grace period to enable states adequately plan, engage stakeholders and make budgetary provisions that would guarantee sustainability of the programme.
The governor reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to partner with the Federal Government in expanding access to clean energy and improving the welfare of citizens.
In an earlier address, the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr. Ed Ubong, stated that the Federal Government aims to transition five million Nigerian households to LPG for cooking by 2030 under the programme.
Ubong said the initiative targets one million households annually and described Bayelsa as the ideal starting point for the programme as hosts to one of Africa’s largest gas processing facilities and holding a significant place in Nigeria’s oil and gas history.
