The federal government on Thursday inaugurated the North-West Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Programme in Sokoto State and the distribution of gas cylinders to women and youths across the country.

The event, tagged ‘A Decade of Gas Cooking: Gas Outreach Programme’, is aimed at transitioning one million Nigerian households to clean cooking gas by the year 2030.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the initiative as part of President Bola Tinubu’s determined efforts to harness the country’s untapped energy resources for sustainable development.

“Today’s event is not just ceremonial; it underscores the president’s commitment to transforming the lives of Nigerians,” Mr Ekpo said.

He stated that while the initial target was to reach one million households by 2030, translating to 200,000 homes annually, the overwhelming support and stakeholder commitment witnessed in Sokoto State could warrant a review.

He added, “With the level of acceptance here, I will discuss with the president the possibility of scaling the target to reach one million households annually, with the goal of impacting five million homes by 2030.’’

Mr Ekpo appreciated Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his administration’s dedication to energy development while also commending the Sultan of Sokoto and the people of the state for aligning with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the LPG equipment responsibly and continue to support the federal government’s efforts to make the country more liveable and inclusive.

In his remarks, Mr Aliyu lauded the federal government for choosing Sokoto State as the launch site for the intervention project, describing the initiative as “timely, visionary and highly commendable.

“The importance of this programme cannot be overstated, as it encourages the use of LPG for domestic and industrial purposes, significantly reducing dependence on firewood and biomass fuels,” the governor said.

He pointed out that Sokoto, situated in the Sahelian region, was highly vulnerable to desertification and land degradation—challenges that threaten agriculture, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

“In this regard, we are not only supporting the LPG penetration programme wholeheartedly but also taking bold local steps to address our environmental concerns,” Mr Aliyu said.

He emphasised the need for LPG to be made available, accessible and affordable to the average Nigerian, especially in rural and underserved communities.

The governor also expressed appreciation to the president for prioritising oil exploration in the Kalmalo area of Illela Local Government of the state.

“Research has shown that the Sokoto Basin contains large deposits of oil, and if well harnessed, this could significantly boost national revenue. This development is indeed welcome and will enhance Nigeria’s oil production capacity,” he added.

Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sa’ad Abubakar, described the initiative as a better alternative for utilising the country’s abundant but wasted gas resources.

He thanked the federal government for the intervention and assured the full support of traditional leaders, expressing confidence that the project would address key societal needs.

The sultan also commended the state government’s efforts in addressing economic hardship through infrastructure development and human capital empowerment initiatives. 

(NAN)