Empowering Households: WIEN And Smart Gas Partner To Transition 500,000 Nigerian Homes To LPG

By Oluwabukola Jimoh ــ Last Update 20 August 2024

In a major step towards energy sustainability, the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has partnered with Smart Gas Limited to enable 500,000 Nigerian households to adopt Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) over the next five years. Announced during a press conference in Lagos, WIEN President Eyono Fatai-Williams highlighted how this initiative aligns with the government's push for fuel diversification and economic sustainability.

Fatai-Williams expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "This initiative is in line with the Nigerian government’s agenda to diversify our energy sources and reduce reliance on traditional, non-renewable fuels." She emphasized that by promoting LPG as a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to firewood and coal, the initiative supports the federal government’s National Gas Expansion Program (NGEP). The NGEP aims to boost domestic LPG consumption, lessen dependence on kerosene, and cut down on harmful emissions.

LPG offers significant benefits over traditional fuels. It reduces long-term household energy costs, minimizes the need for fuel importation, and strengthens the economy by utilizing locally sourced energy, such as from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and other fractionation plants. Moreover, increasing LPG adoption directly addresses public health concerns, particularly respiratory diseases prevalent among women and children in underserved communities due to air pollution from firewood and coal.

The environmental advantages of LPG adoption are also noteworthy. Transitioning to LPG helps combat deforestation, soil erosion, and harmful emissions, aligning with Nigeria’s commitment to fighting climate change and preserving ecosystems. Additionally, the switch to LPG is time-saving, especially for rural women who often spend hours collecting firewood. This transition empowers households to focus more on education, income-generating activities, and other productive endeavors, supporting the government’s goals of improving productivity and human capital development.

Fatai-Williams also pointed out that this initiative will stimulate local economies and create jobs by establishing a new value chain for LPG distribution and services, contributing to the federal government’s efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil.

Chief Executive Officer of Smart Gas Limited, Dr. Yinka Opeke, echoed the importance of the initiative, noting that it has garnered support from stakeholders who see it as vital to achieving Nigeria’s sustainable development goals. In the first year, the initiative aims to transition 100,000 households to LPG, with a target of reaching 500,000 households within three years. This transition is expected to attract private sector investment, create jobs, and significantly reduce energy poverty across Nigeria.

The success of this initiative, however, will rely on collaboration and funding from local and national governments, organizations, and investors. The partnership between WIEN and Smart Gas marks a crucial step towards promoting LPG adoption and achieving the broader goals of sustainable development in Nigeria.

As Nigeria continues its journey toward cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, this initiative represents a significant move towards reducing energy poverty and promoting safe, modern cooking methods across the country.

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Oluwabukola Jimoh

Oluwabukola Jimoh is a dynamic academic writer and captivating energy blogger. She is able to delve into intricate subjects with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, crafting thought-provoking essays that engage and enlighten her readers.