FG FLAGS OFF NATIONAL LPG PROGRAM IN BAYELSA, 27,000 TO BENEFIT. By Chris Mark

FG FLAGS OFF NATIONAL LPG PROGRAM IN BAYELSA, 27,000 TO BENEFIT.

By Chris Mark 

The Federal Government has flagged off the National Grassroots Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Programme in Bayelsa State, with 27,000 vulnerable households in the state set to benefit from free cooking gas cylinders and six free refills.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed this on Tuesday during the launch of the “Decade of Gas: National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme” at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.

He said the initiative, under President Bola Tinubu’s “Decade of Gas” agenda, is designed to move rural dwellers away from the use of firewood and kerosene, which he described as harmful to human health and the environment.

“We decided to devise this means of bringing the cylinders to the rural people, not the rich, but to the rural people, in a way of withdrawing them from cooking with firewood,” she said.

He explained that government will take responsibility for refilling the cylinders six times and called for collaboration with state and local governments to ensure sustainability.

Bayelsa was chosen as the first state for the rollout because, according to him, “gas was discovered in commercial quantity in the state.”

“Like the governor was saying, when you are cooking with firewood, tears will come out of your eyes. So it will add health to their own wellbeing and clean environment,” she added.
She described President Tinubu as “a visionary leader” driving the prosperity agenda for Nigeria.

Governor Douye Diri commended President Tinubu for the initiative, describing it as a bold step towards improving the welfare of Nigerians and correcting decades of neglect in oil and gas producing communities.

He said the scheme will reduce wood logging, deforestation and the attendant environmental impact, while also improving public health by limiting exposure to harmful smoke.

“For decades, communities in the Niger Delta suffered environmental degradation, poverty and neglect despite contributing immensely to the nation’s economy. This LPG initiative signals the beginning of a positive change,” Diri said.

The governor urged residents to embrace clean cooking energy and discard the misconception that food prepared with firewood was superior.

While applauding the six free refills, Diri appealed for a review of the implementation framework to extend the grace period to two years to enable states plan, engage stakeholders and make budgetary provisions for sustainability.

In an earlier address, Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr. Ed Ubong, said the Federal Government aims to transition five million Nigerian households to LPG for cooking by 2030.

Ubong said the initiative targets one million households annually and described Bayelsa as the ideal starting point as host to one of Africa’s largest gas processing facilities and a significant place in Nigeria’s oil and gas history.

The programme is expected to reduce indoor air pollution, deforestation, and health risks associated with traditional cooking methods in rural communities.