Clean Cooking Transforms Lives in FCT

A significant transformation is underway in thousands of homes across Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as communities shift from traditional cooking fuels like firewood and charcoal to cleaner liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This transition is largely driven by the 'Project Breathe Clean Air Abuja,' a collaborative effort by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and IHS Nigeria.

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For decades, many low-income households depended on firewood, charcoal and kerosene as their primary cooking fuels. Medical experts have consistently warned that prolonged exposure to indoor smoke contributes to respiratory illnesses, asthma, pneumonia, persistent cough, eye irritation and other health complications, particularly among women and children who spend the most time around cooking areas.

The initiative has successfully distributed more than 10,000 cooking gas cylinders to vulnerable households in all six area councils of the FCT. Beyond just providing gas, the program functions as a public health intervention, an environmental sustainability project, and a social protection scheme. It aims to enhance the quality of life for women and their families, who have historically relied on fuels that contribute to severe indoor air pollution.

Medical experts have long warned about the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to indoor smoke from traditional cooking fuels. These risks include respiratory illnesses, asthma, pneumonia, and eye irritation, disproportionately affecting women and children. Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, championed the project as a practical solution to mitigate these dangers.

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Recognising these dangers, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, championed the implementation of Project Breathe Clean Air Abuja as a practical intervention to reduce indoor air pollution while promoting healthier communities.

The program's innovative approach includes providing beneficiaries with one-year free refill vouchers and one-year health insurance coverage. This ensures sustained use of clean energy and offers a safety net for health complications. The impact is already being felt across communities, with women reporting improved daily living conditions and petty food vendors experiencing increased efficiency due to reduced cooking times. The success of 'Project Breathe Clean Air Abuja' highlights the positive outcomes of government and private sector collaboration for public good, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and healthier communities.

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From Abaji to Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), beneficiaries are already experiencing the impact of the programme. Women from Bwari and AMAC echoed similar sentiments, praising the FCTA for introducing an intervention that not only protects their health but also restores dignity to daily living.