DIRI COMMENDS TINUBU OVER FG’S LPG INITIATIVE, SEEKS 2-YEAR GRACE FOR BAYELSA

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas Penetration Initiative, describing it as a major step towards improving the welfare of Nigerians.

Speaking at the launch of the Decade of Gas: National Grassroots LPG Penetration Program in Yenagoa, Governor Diri said the initiative would expand access to clean cooking energy, reduce deforestation and improve public health by discouraging the use of firewood.

Bayelsa became the first state to benefit from the state-level rollout of the programme, which is expected to reach no fewer than 27,000 beneficiaries.

The governor said the initiative marked a positive shift in ensuring that oil and gas-producing communities benefit from cleaner and safer energy, while aligning with the state’s commitment to improving the quality of life of its people.

While applauding the provision of six free cylinder refills for beneficiaries, Diri urged the Federal Government to extend the implementation framework to allow a two-year grace period before states assume responsibility for sustaining the programme.

He also called on residents to embrace clean cooking energy and abandon the belief that food prepared with firewood is superior.

Governor Diri further appealed to President Tinubu to address what he described as the injustice of revenues from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company accruing to states other than Bayelsa, despite the state supplying about 60 per cent of the gas used by the company.

In his remarks, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the launch as a historic milestone, saying the programme would improve access to clean cooking energy, reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal, protect the environment and create economic opportunities.

Also speaking, Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr. Ed Ubong, said the Federal Government aims to transition five million households to LPG by 2030, targeting one million households annually under the programme.

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