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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Women across the 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom state have benefitted from free gas cylinders by federal government under ” Decade of Gas National LPG Penetration programme in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during the presentation of gas cylinders in Uyo, the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo said 5 millions households are being to receive the cylinders in all the states of the federation .
Ekpo said the gas cylinders would have 6 months refill as gas station for the refill will be established in all the local government areas in the state .
He said the federal government targeted rural women in the distribution chain noting that women are the pivots and backbone of the society adding that governance must be felt where it matters most especially in families.
” Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, governance must be felt where it matters most: in safer homes, stronger families, empowered women, thriving businesses, and communities lifted by opportunity”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his initiative to consider women’s empowerment in the heart of national development.
“We therefore pay special tribute to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for placing women’s empowerment at the heart of national development
“His commitment to women, rural enterprise, and grassroots prosperity reflects a leadership vision that recognises women as builders of families, drivers of commerce, and partners in nation-building”
Ekpo explained that the Rural Women Empowerment Initiative is a practical investment in inclusive growth.
“By equipping women with entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, business guidance, and access to opportunity, we are opening pathways into enterprise, livelihoods, supply chains, and community based economic participation”
He said apart from the gas cylinders , the rural women have been supported with additional N100,000 to boost their businesses .
“Today, under the visionary and people-centred leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and in fulfilment of the Renewed Hope Agenda, 3,000 women are being empowered with ₦100,000 each
” This support will help them grow their businesses, strengthen their families, and invest in the second planting season of the year to boost agriculture, increase food production, expand household income, create rural jobs, and stimulate local market activity across our communities. It is more than a grant.
” it is a clear statement that this Administration believes in the enterprise, resilience, and leadership of Nigerian women”
Ekpo insisted that the empowerment is closely related with clean cooking energy that will promote cleaner well being of rural women and enhance their enterprise spirit .
“It is in this same spirit of practical impact that we turn to the Decade of Gas National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme
“Advancing Clean Cooking Through the Decade of Gas Today, under the Decade of Gas Initiative, and in faithful alignment with the direction of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we mark another solemn step in the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding domestic gas utilisation and helping Nigerian households move from firewood, charcoal, kerosene, and other traditional fuels to cleaner, safer, and more efficient cooking energy.
“Over the next ten years, this programme carries a bold national ambition: to reach all thirty-six states and the FCT, support one million households annually, and place Nigeria firmly on the path to reaching five million homes by 2030 and more than ten million homes by 2060”
Akwa Ibom state governor Pastor Umo Eno while addressing the beneficiaries announced his support for the National Grassroots LPG penetration programme with cash grants of N110,000 across 369 wards in the state .
Eno commended the Federal Government for bringing the initiative to the state adding that it would improve livelihoods, protect the environment and contribute to better health outcomes in rural communities.
He disclosed that the programme was a practical demonstration of hope for the people and aligns with his administration’s people-centred development agenda.
He appreciated the wife of the Senate President, Dr Unoma Akpabio who represented the husband, Minister of State for Gas and wife, alongside other dignitaries for their commitment to unveil the LPG programme in the state .
“Akwa Ibom was ready for business and strategically positioned to attract investments in the gas sector
“I urged investors to take advantage of the opportunities in the state as gas is not merely a commodity but a major driver of employment, enterprise development and economic growth”
He announced that his administration would, in October, empower 300 women in each of the 369 wards through women’s cooperatives.
He said the beneficiaries had already been identified and profiled ahead of the programme.
Eno expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the partnership and pledged the state’s continued collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure that the benefits of the gas initiative reach the grassroots.
“This free gas distribution underscored Federal Government’s drive to deepen LPG penetration, promote clean cooking and use Nigeria’s gas resources to improve livelihoods and stimulate economic opportunities across communities
