Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, has pledged to allocate over 300 million naira of government resources to a low-cost biogas project.
The project is designed to address energy poverty and associated socio-economic challenges confronting women in rural communities, who predominantly rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking fuel.
A statement issued in Abuja on Friday quoted the minister as saying that the initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the UN Women Nigeria Country Office.
The low-cost biogas innovation, capable of producing flammable gas from animal dung and crop residues, has been showcased as a superior alternative to traditional sources of cooking fuel, such as firewood.
“The necessary equipment for this commendable initiative will be provided to women, and animal dung, widely available in most rural communities, will be procured at minimal or no cost’’, she said.
The minister commended the initiative, expressing confidence that it would alleviate women’s suffering in Nigeria, and urged the federal and state governments to rise to the occasion and invest in biogas to empower women in rural communities and alleviate poverty to a larger extent.
On her part, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, highlighted the innovative project to not only present an avenue for women to generate income but also address crucial issues such as eliminating health risks linked to firewood, curbing deforestation, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change challenges.
“Furthermore, it will enhance women’s security, create a clean cooking environment, and improve agricultural yields by utilizing the nutrient-rich by-product of the biogas installation as organic manure for crop production.
“The Biogas project will also create employment for young people who may supply animal dung or venture into the business of producing Biogas and selling it to households in communities for an affordable amount”, she said.