Gladness Gideon
The Federal Government has extended its grassroots Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Programme to the North West Zone, with a renewed pledge to accelerate clean energy access across Nigeria.
Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, flagged off the North West phase in Sokoto, describing the initiative as a significant stride toward achieving nationwide transition to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable cooking solutions.
“With support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our goal is to distribute five million LPG cylinders by 2030, converting one million households each year to cleaner, safer, and more sustainable cooking methods,” Ekpo stated.
The programme, which has already launched in the South West, South South, North East, and the Federal Capital Territory, is designed to reduce indoor air pollution, curb deforestation, and empower communities by generating employment across the LPG value chain.
“This programme isn’t just about gas—it’s about health, opportunity, and environmental responsibility,” the minister added, highlighting its multifaceted impact on public health, gender empowerment, and environmental preservation.
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Ekpo acknowledged the support of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, and expressed gratitude to the Sultan of Sokoto for his leadership and commitment to the welfare of the people.
He also commended the Decade of Gas Secretariat for their strategic leadership and BUA Group, the programme’s primary sponsor, for its vital role in delivering LPG access to underserved communities.
The Federal Government’s LPG drive aligns with broader climate and development goals, seeking to replace traditional biomass and charcoal with cleaner alternatives, thereby improving livelihoods and advancing Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.