The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to develop a Clean Cooking Policy.

This was the key message from the just concluded Nigerian Clean Cooking Forum organised by the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other partners, and with support from Heinrich Boell Stiftung (HBS) and Nigeria Energy Support Programme (NESP).

The two-day event, held from October 5 to 6. 2021 in Abuja, brought together key policymakers, private sector actors, research institutions, women groups, academia, civil society stakeholders as well as international development partners to discuss the implementation plans towards achieving the clean cooking targets of the Paris Agreement.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor, stated that it is unacceptable that Nigeria should have the greatest number of people dying in Africa as a result of the lack of access to clean cooking.

She pledged the Federal Government’s determination to develop a policy framework for clean cooking in the country. According to the minister, “there is already an inter-ministerial committee saddled with the responsibility of developing this policy.

Furthermore, a sub-committee of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Climate Change will coordinate national efforts to address the challenges posed by the lack of access to clean cooking”.

She declared that the Ministry is committed to integrating the outcomes of the forum in its NDCs implementation efforts and plans.

In her goodwill message, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, represented by Mrs. Funke Oladipo, thanked the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves for their foresight in promoting clean cooking aimed at improving the lives of women and children in Nigeria.

She aligned the Ministry to the objective of achieving clean cooking in Nigeria and outlined the Ministry’s effort in promoting clean cooking through distribution of 1,000 cooking gas equipment in each of the 774 local government areas (LGAs) across Nigeria and public awareness campaigns.

In his keynote address, the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, commended the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and expressed the unalloyed commitment of the Legislature in ensuring clean cooking for all Nigerian.

According to him, “there is no doubt that the clean cooking initiative is about some new details regarding the hazards associated with our rather rusty traditional firewood system of cooking”.

He urged the stakeholders to articulate ways to address grey areas in existing laws and if there is need for a new law, such should be forwarded to the National Assembly.

He also urged stakeholders to articulate ways of ensuring that this vision is achieved and stated that the Senate is always available to support the initiatives where required.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, represented by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, in his goodwill message said the 9th Senate is favourably disposed to support policies and programmes being championed through the forum.

He pointed out that the newly enacted Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has critical elements that seek to promote access to LPG for cooking, adding that, should the need arise, the National Assembly is willing to amend the PIA to ensure enhanced private sector-driven LPG expansion in Nigeria.

The Kano State Government has approved N137 billion for the provision of potable water in Gaya to combat cholera and to address other challenges.

Commissioner for Information, Mr Muhammed Garba, said in a statement issued on Sunday, October 10, 2021 in Kano that the approval was given at the end of the state Executive Council meeting.

Garba said that the money would be spent on the rehabilitation of Wudil Regional Water Scheme, Gaya town and its environs; construction of six solar mechanised boreholes and 30 hand pump boreholes.

He added that the money would also cover expenses for sensitisation programme on hygiene promotion in the area.

He said that N82 million was earmarked for high-capacity generators for Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital.

The commissioner said that part of the money would be spent on the general renovation of Science and Technical Schools Board secretariat.

The cost of RMK College of Arts and Remedial Studies; Tudun-Wada, the Kano State College of Education and Remedial Studies and the training of 220 youths selected from 44 local governments would also be accommodated.

Garba added that the Industrial Training Fund would train the youths.