FG Urges Nigerians to Use Efficient Cooking Fuels Like LPG

Bennett Oghifo

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has said that it was imperative for Nigerians to switch from inefficient cooking fuels like fuelwood, charcoal, and kerosene to LPG and other efficient cooking solutions as the nation strives to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Framework Convention on Climate Change and in it resolve to achieve netzero carbon emission by 2060.

This is besides the health complications associated with the use of these inefficient fuels, particularly among the vulnerable population who are mainly women and children.

Dr. Salako, who gave the advice during the Nigeria Clean Cooking forum, held recently at Tsukunda House, Abuja, stated the importance of sustainable cooking practices which, he said, would help to reduce air pollution and improve public health. 

He also stressed the need for collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society to implement practical solutions and commended the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking for its efforts towards achieving this objective. The minister said, “As Nigeria strives to meet its obligations under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and the long-term carbon emission reduction commitments by 2060, it is crucial to have a joint collaborative effort to encourage Nigerian households to switch from inefficient cooking fuels like fuelwood, charcoal, and kerosene to LPG and other efficient cooking solutions. The future of our planet depends on it, and the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking is the best means of achieving this noble objective.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Senator Seriake Henry Dickson, pledged to facilitate inter-ministerial and inter-agency collaboration on clean cooking advocacy at all levels of government. 

He also promised to push the clean cooking agenda further on policy forums like the National Economic Council where all state governors meet. Senator Dickson assured that the Senate Committee is developing a template for engaging with all relevant ministries and agencies to optimise national assets in advancing clean cooking in Nigeria and promised that the legislature would work with the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking to promote clean cooking in Nigeria.

Senate Committee Chairman on Environment, Senator Yunus Akintunde, also committed to ensuring that the clean cooking sector becomes more sustainable and accessible to all Nigerians. He said, “We are determined to work closely with relevant stakeholders, especially the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking, on legislative measures that would accelerate the transition towards cleaner and healthier cooking practices in Nigeria.”

The Country Director of Heinrich Boell Foundation, Jochen Luckscheiter, highlighted the importance of sustainable development in addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced by the country. 

He also emphasised the need for collaborative efforts and innovative solutions to achieve clean cooking in Nigeria. He commended the leadership of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking for sustaining the discussion on clean cooking in Nigeria and pledged continuous support to the Alliance.

Earlier, Ewah Eleri, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking, emphasised the need for the government to take more significant action towards clean cooking, particularly in implementing the clean cooking policy. According to him, the value of such a policy lies in the government’s effort, appropriation, and implementation of funds to support clean cooking initiatives. 

He further stressed the importance of having an enforceable law to guide the government’s conduct in this area, as it will help resolve the problem. “Therefore, a legislative framework is essential to fully enjoy the co-benefits of clean cooking.”

The 2023 Forum tagged, Clean Cooking Energy for All in Nigeria: Advancing Public Private Partnership was co-hosted by the Nigeria Energy Support Programme (NESP), International organization for Migration (IOM), Burn Manufacturing Ltd, Toyola Energy Group, ICEED and Green Energy Biofuels among other stakeholders, had in attendance over 200 participants. Other important dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Representative of the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Representatives of the Honourable Ministers of Agriculture, Women Affairs and Health among other MDAs, and Representatives of European Union Delegation to Nigeria and West Africa, Commissioner of Environment Niger State, Commissioner of Environment Anambra State, and other stakeholders from across Nigeria.