L-R: Ed Ubong Coordinating Director Decade of Gas, Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim Minister of Women Affairs, Obongemen Ekperikpe Ekpo Minister of State Petroleum Resources Gas, Chinyere Ekomaru Deputy Governor Imo State, and Barrister Emeka Mgbudem Commissioner of Petroleum and Natural Gas Imo State.at the South-East kick off of LPG penetration and distribution of gas cylinders, in Owerri, Imo State
…Unveils cooking gas outreach in S/East, targets one million homes per year
The Decade of gas program received a major boost as the federal government expressed that it is expanding Its LPG penetration programme in the six geo- political zones of the country, as it Unveils cooking gas outreach in S/East, targets one million homes per year
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, revealed this in Owerri Imo state capital during the Flag-Off of the LPG Penetration Programme and Distribution of LPG Cylinders in the South-East, Imo State.
Speaking at the event the minister expressed joy for being in the industrious South-East region to officially flag off the LPG Penetration Programme and Distribution of LPG Cylinders, in partnership with the Imo State Government.
He explained that this event is another important milestone in the implementation of the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, championed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, clean cooking is not just an energy choice; it is a life-changing intervention. For decades, many Nigerian households have relied on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene—fuel sources that endanger health, degrade the environment, and place a heavy burden on women and children.
With the transition to LPG, we are Eliminating exposure to dangerous smoke that causes respiratory diseases; Reducing time spent by women and girls in gathering firewood, allowing for education and economic activities; Protecting our forests and biodiversity by reducing the demand for firewood; Increasing household savings through efficient and reliable cooking energy enhancing safety in our homes with modern, regulated fuel.
He noted that clean cooking improves health, protects our environment, and enables families to live with dignity and convenience.
He stressed that this initiative also aligns with the United Nations Clean Cooking Agenda and contributes directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
According to him, Over 17 million households in Nigeria still depend on biomass for cooking, one of the largest contributors to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. By transitioning these households to LPG, we significantly reduce carbon emissions while safeguarding our forests and the climate.
Pointed out that this programme supports Nigeria’s broader energy transition by replacing high-emission fuels with low-carbon alternatives; reducing the pressure on our natural environment; Promoting a cleaner, more climate-resilient future for generations to come clean cooking, therefore, is a powerful tool for decarbonization, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
The minister said over the past months, the programme was launched across the geopolitical zones, beginning in the North-Central, extending to the South-South, South-West, North-East, North-West and now proudly arriving in the South-East. Our target under the Decade of Gas is to transition 5,000,000 Nigerian homes to clean cooking gas by 2030.
He noted strong partnerships as being responsible for the success so far recorded and specially acknowledged the Imo State Government for embracing this initiative with enthusiasm, and for providing the enabling environment for today’s exercise.
The minister expressed appreciation to the Coordinator of the Decade of Gas Programme and our dedicated private sector partners whose technical support, logistics capacity, and unwavering commitment have driven the success of this programme nationwide.
He said, to our women and youth beneficiaries, “the cylinders you receive today are tools of empowerment. Clean cooking creates opportunities across the value chain, from cylinder distribution and maintenance to retail supply and safety training.”
According to the minister by expanding LPG use, ” we are creating jobs, stimulating local enterprise, and building a stronger, safer, and more economically vibrant region.’
The Minister believed that the South-East, zone known for its entrepreneurship and innovation, stands to gain immensely from the opportunities emerging across the gas value chain.
He said, “as we flag off the LPG Penetration Programme in the South-East today, let us move forward with shared commitment to health, to safety, to environmental stewardship, and to national progress.”
The Minister said that the Federal Government, through the NMDPRA, will continue to intensify LPG safety education and expand last-mile distribution networks to ensure that every household can adopt LPG safely and confidently.
According to him, ” together, we are building a Nigeria where no child grows up inhaling harmful smoke, where women cook with dignity and safety, where forests are preserved, and where gas truly becomes a catalyst for national prosperity.”
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