Nigeria flags off grassroots LPG programme in Bayelsa
The Federal Government has launched the National Grassroots Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Programme in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, aimed at expanding clean energy access to 27,000 local households.
The initiative is part of broader federal efforts to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking energy while reducing costs for ordinary citizens.
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Federal Government has launched the National Grassroots Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Programme in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, aimed at expanding clean energy access to 27,000 local households.
The initiative is part of broader federal efforts to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking energy while reducing costs for ordinary citizens.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasised that Nigeria must translate its vast natural gas wealth, boasting over 215 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves, into direct benefits for its population.
The scheme, championed under the nation’s Decade of Gas policy, aims to transition five million Nigerian households from wood fuel to LPG by 2030.
Ekpo noted that Bayelsa was selected to host the inaugural state-level cylinder distribution phase due to its status as a leading gas-producing state. He also recalled that when LPG prices spiked previously, the government directed producers to halt exports and prioritise domestic supply, a move that successfully brought down retail prices.
”This occasion is a landmark moment in our collective journey towards cleaner energy, healthier homes, and a more prosperous nation,” Ekpo said. “By taking this pioneering step, Bayelsa State has earned a distinguished place as the launch state for this transformative national initiative.”
”At the heart of this programme lies a simple conviction: that our abundant natural gas must translate into dignity, safety, and improved well-being for our people. No mother should be forced to choose between feeding her family and protecting her health, and no child should inhale harmful smoke when cleaner energy is available.”
The minister explained that the state-by-state deployment builds on an earlier zonal rollout across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, incorporating key lessons to ensure smoother implementation directly to communities.
Flagging off the physical distribution of the cylinders, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, commended the Federal Government for the initiative, noting that it would also help combat environmental pollution across the state.
