FG begins LPG penetration scheme with free cylinder distribution in Lagos
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Federal government’s ongoing LPG Penetration Program took a significant step forward in Lagos on Monday with the launch of the South-West Zone’s distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, a move aimed at promoting clean cooking solutions across the region.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, seeks to enhance domestic gas utilization, improve public health, boost the economy, and reduce environmental degradation.
The event came as the minister also pledged to collaborate with players in the LPG industry to arrest the rising cost of the cooling gas which the government is promoting as cheaper and cleaner alternatives to dirty indoor fuels used in underserves communities.
Hon Ekpo admitted that he was yet to be briefed on the factors that spike prices of cooking gas in the country, especially at time goverment was pushing familiies to switch from traditional kitchen fuels to celeaner buring LPG.
According to the minister, the LPG Penetration Program is a central component of the Decade of Gas Initiative, which aims to convert 250,000 homes to LPG use annually or one million homes by 20230.
The program which is supported by industry stakeholders including the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) is expected to have a profound impact on Nigeria’s economy by reducing the reliance on dirty fuels, such as kerosene and firewood, which produce indoor air pollution and cause health hazards for women and girls.
The LPG Penetration Programme is driven by the government’s Decade of Gas agenda coordinated by the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), Mr Ed Ubong.
Over 300 women recommended by their local community development associations (LCDAs) received prefilled six kilogramme gas cylinders at te event which was also supported by the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Nigerian LPG Association (NLPGA) and numerous private sponsors.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (GAS), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo (3rd right), is assisted by programme stakeholders in handing out the first prefilled gas cylinder to a beneficiary during the launch-off of the Nigerian LPG Penetration Programme in Lagos.
WIEN was represented at the event by the Managing Director of Smart Gas Limited, Dr Yinka Opeke, whose affiliations are all partners with government and participants on the LPG penetration programme.
By promoting the use of domestically sourced LPG, the initiative supports local industries and creates jobs across the supply chain, from production and distribution to maintenance and retail.
The program also encourages investment in the LPG sector, fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that supply and service LPG equipment. This, in turn, stimulates local economies, particularly in rural areas where economic opportunities are often limited.
Both the minister and Dr Opeke called for increased corporate and private sponsorship to expand the program’s reach, with the goal of converting over one million homes across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to LPG use.
They pointed out that delivery of the health benefits of the LPG Penetration Program have become urgent to displace traditional cooking methods, which rely on wood, charcoal, and kerosene, are a leading cause of respiratory illnesses in Nigeria, particularly among women and children who spend considerable time in poorly ventilated kitchens.
Several speakers at the event which took place in the premises of the Lagos State Television at Agidimgbi, Ikeja, cited the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that household air pollution from wood, charcoal, and kerosene is responsible for thousands of premature deaths in Nigeria each year.
By switching to LPG, they argued, households can significantly reduce their exposure to harmful pollutants.
Speakers at the event agreed that LPG burns more cleanly than traditional fuels, producing fewer harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. They also reiterated that the adoption of clean cooking gas is expected to reduce the incidence of respiratory diseases, improve overall public health, and decrease the healthcare burden associated with treating such illnesses.
In addition to its economic and health advantages, the LPG Penetration Program is poised to deliver significant environmental benefits.
The minister stated that widespread use of firewood and charcoal for cooking has led to deforestation and environmental degradation in many parts of Nigeria. These practices contribute to the loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
LPG, on the other hand, does not contribute to deforestation. And by encouraging the use of LPG, the program helps to conserve Nigeria’s forests and reduce the country’s carbon footprint. This aligns with Nigeria’s commitments to international climate agreements and its efforts to transition to a more sustainable energy future.
The Oracle Today reports that government’s LPG Penetration Program is part of a broader movement to promote clean energy solutions across Nigeria. Similar initiatives have been undertaken by other organizations, including the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) and Smart Gas Limited.
WIEN, a prominent advocacy group, has been at the forefront of efforts to increase women’s access to clean cooking technologies. Their campaigns have focused on raising awareness about the health risks of traditional cooking fuels and the benefits of LPG, particularly for women in rural areas.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, confers with WIEN member and Managing Director of Smart Gas Limited, Dr Yinka Opeke, during the rollout of Nigerian LPG Penetration Programme in Lagos.
Smart Gas Limited, a private company, has also been instrumental in expanding LPG access through its innovative distribution models. The company has developed a mobile app that allows users to order LPG refills from the comfort of their homes, ensuring a steady and convenient supply of cooking gas. Smart Gas’s efforts have been particularly impactful in urban areas, where demand for LPG is growing rapidly.
The private sector support for LPG Penetration Program so far underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
Thus, the collaboration between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, state governments, and private sector players such as Asiko Energy Limited has been key to the program’s rollout. Asiko Energy’s expertise and resources have played a crucial role in ensuring that LPG cylinders are available to households across the South-West Zone.
The Lagos State Government has also been a strong supporter of the initiative, providing logistical and infrastructural support to facilitate the distribution of LPG cylinders. This partnership model is expected to be replicated in other regions as the program expands, with the ultimate goal of reaching every household in Nigeria.
With the continued support of corporate sponsors, public institutions, and the Nigerian people, the LPG Penetration Program is well on its way to transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape, improving public health, and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
