FCT expands clean cooking initiative, reaching 10,000 households

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has successfully expanded its "Abuja Breathe Clean Air Initiative," reaching approximately 10,000 households across six Area Councils. This program aims to transition households away from firewood and charcoal towards cleaner cooking gas, thereby improving maternal and child health, reducing indoor air pollution, and lowering household energy costs.

The initiative's final rollout occurred in Bwari Area Council, where beneficiaries received essential equipment, including gas cylinders, burners, and refill vouchers. This effort is a collaboration between the FCTA and IHS Nigeria. Officials highlighted that the program, launched under the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, is designed to encourage the adoption of cleaner cooking energy while tackling the health and environmental issues linked to traditional fuels.

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By promoting the use of clean cooking gas, this initiative will significantly reduce exposure to harmful smoke, improve public health and protect the environment.

FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, emphasized that indoor air pollution poses a significant public health threat, particularly to women and children who spend more time in cooking areas. She stated that promoting clean cooking gas will substantially decrease exposure to harmful smoke, leading to better public health and environmental protection. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, noted that the initiative originated from the FCTA's observation that many residents, even in the Abuja metropolis, continued to use firewood despite known health risks.

Fasawe explained that prolonged exposure to firewood smoke is associated with respiratory infections, allergies, and burns, especially affecting women and children. The administration sought to provide a practical alternative, moving beyond mere advice to abandon traditional fuels. "This administration believes in proactiveness. We will not encourage you to stop cooking with firewood when we have not provided an alternative. Hence, the Breathe Clean Air project was started," she said. The switch to cleaner fuels offers benefits not only to individual households but also contributes to broader public health and environmental improvements. Additionally, the program has reportedly reduced household cooking expenses and boosted productivity for small-scale food vendors, who can now prepare more food faster using LPG.

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This administration believes in proactiveness. We will not encourage you to stop cooking with firewood when we have not provided an alternative. Hence, the Breathe Clean Air project was started.