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The Federal government of Nigeria has launched the National Grassroots Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Programme, with the aimed of distributing compressed cylinders gas to 27,000 household in Bayelsa State, as part of the measures to facilitate the clean energy and reduce cost of buying gas.
Speaking during the flag-off of the scheme in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Tuesday, the minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the initiative championed by a Decade of Gas, is part of efforts in ensuring 5 million Nigerian households migrate to cooking gas by 2030.
He disclosed that Bayelsa State was privileged to hosts the first State-Level LPG Cylinder Distribution Programme in the country, because of its position as a leading gas producing state.
He said when the price of gas was high, the federal government had to direct the producers to stop exporting gas in order to have enough local supplies, which has help reduced the price.
He said: “This occasion is not merely an event; it is a landmark moment in our collective journey towards cleaner energy, healthier homes, and a more prosperous nation. By taking this pioneering step, Bayelsa State has earned a distinguished place in history as the launch state for this transformative national initiative.
“At the heart of this programme lies a simple but powerful conviction: that the promise of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas must translate into dignity, safety, and improved wellbeing for our people.
“No mother should be compelled to choose between feeding her family and protecting her health. No child should inhale harmful smoke because cleaner energy remains beyond reach. No family should spend valuable hours searching for firewood when our nation is richly endowed with gas resources capable of powering safer and more dignified lives.
“This state-level rollout builds on the successful zonal phase previously implemented by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), across the six geopolitical zones, with one state representing each zone.
“Those rollouts gave us valuable lessons, deepened stakeholder collaboration, and strengthened our resolve that access to clean cooking energy must be expanded with urgency, purpose, and compassion to every Nigerian household.
“With Bayelsa State as the starting point, we are now moving from regional implementation to a broader state-by-state deployment designed to reach households more directly and more effectively.
“This programme also stands as a practical expression of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose administration remains firmly committed to improving the quality of life of Nigerians through policies that advance energy access, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and inclusive national development.
“The distribution of these LPG cylinders is, therefore, a deliberate investment in the health, welfare, and economic wellbeing of thousands of households across Bayelsa State.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye 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 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.
Gov. 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.
Also Speaking, the Coordinating Director, Decade of Gas, E D Ubong, described the initiative as a decade of investment, which target about 5 million households across the country to migrate to gas by 2030.
“Every cylinder placed in the hands of a beneficiary represents one less household dependent on firewood, charcoal, or other harmful cooking fuels, and one more family empowered to embrace a cleaner, safer, and more efficient source of energy.Beyond the health benefits, this initiative makes a meaningful contribution to environmental protection.
