Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Federal Government has officially inaugurated the North-West Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Program in Sokoto State, reinforcing its national agenda to promote clean, sustainable energy and reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels.
The flag-off ceremony took place on Thursday in Sokoto, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition efforts.
A central highlight of the event was the distribution of LPG cylinders to women and youth as part of an empowerment strategy aimed at expanding access to cleaner cooking energy.
Leading the Federal Government delegation was the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, who emphasized the programme’s role in driving inclusive economic growth and environmental protection across the North-West region.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, in his welcome address, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for selecting Sokoto as the launchpad for the groundbreaking initiative.
Describing the programme as “timely, visionary, and highly commendable,” Governor Aliyu stressed that it aligns with both the environmental and economic development priorities of Sokoto State.
“This program aims to encourage the widespread adoption of LPG for both domestic cooking and industrial applications, thereby reducing the overdependence on firewood and other harmful biomass fuels,” he stated.
He emphasized that this transition is particularly crucial for Sokoto, a Sahelian state already grappling with the devastating effects of desertification and climate change.
“The shift to LPG is not only a vital step toward protecting our environment but also a strategic move to safeguard the livelihoods of our people,” the governor added.
Governor Aliyu highlighted the efforts of his administration to address environmental degradation, noting the annual tree-planting campaign implemented across all 23 local government areas of the state.
He explained that such local initiatives complement federal efforts and demonstrate Sokoto’s commitment to sustainable development and ecological preservation.
The Governor also reiterated his administration’s readiness to fully support the LPG penetration programme through partnerships, infrastructure development, and grassroots sensitization.
In his remarks, Dr. Ekpo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to scale up LPG adoption nationwide, citing its benefits for public health, gender empowerment, and climate resilience.
He called on other states to emulate Sokoto’s proactive approach and pledged continued federal support for state-led clean energy initiatives.
The launch of the LPG Penetration Programme in Sokoto represents a major step forward in Nigeria’s energy diversification strategy and underscores the government’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future for all Nigerians.
