By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
The Federal Government has launched the National Grassroots Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Programme (NGLPP) in Bayelsa State, officially commencing its nationwide state-by-state rollout aimed at providing clean cooking energy to five million Nigerian households by 2030.
The programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) under the Decade of Gas Initiative, seeks to reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, improve public health, protect the environment and stimulate economic opportunities across the country.
Speaking at the launch in Yenagoa, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the initiative as “a landmark moment in our collective journey towards cleaner energy, healthier homes and a more prosperous nation.”
He said the programme reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by ensuring Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
Ekpo announced that 27,000 LPG cylinders would be distributed across Bayelsa under the programme.
“Each cylinder distributed represents one less household dependent on firewood and charcoal. This will improve public health, reduce deforestation, lower greenhouse gas emissions and create economic opportunities across the gas value chain,” he said.
The Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr. Ed Ubong, said Bayelsa was deliberately selected as the pilot state because of its historic role in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“Bayelsa is the birthplace of Nigeria’s petroleum industry and home to Africa’s largest gas processing plant. The programme’s sustainable design, featuring cylinder recirculation, digital monitoring, safety education and structured refill support, will ensure long-term LPG adoption across Nigeria,” Ubong stated.
Also speaking, the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mallam Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, described the programme as a strategic intervention that aligns with Nigeria’s target of increasing domestic LPG consumption to five million metric tonnes annually by 2030.
He said the programme’s “innovative cylinder recirculation model, structured refill support and barcode-enabled digital monitoring system are critical to sustainability, safety and consumer confidence.”
Governor Douye Diri thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) and the Decade of Gas Initiative for choosing Bayelsa to pioneer the programme.
He described the launch as “a significant step towards ending the long-standing paradox of oil and gas-producing communities relying on firewood for cooking.”
The governor urged beneficiaries to embrace LPG as a cleaner and healthier alternative while advocating a longer subsidised refill period to encourage sustained adoption.
The event featured the unveiling of the National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme, LPG safety sensitisation, cultural performances and the official distribution of cooking gas cylinders to beneficiaries.
Following the successful launch in Bayelsa, the Federal Government said the programme will continue with a nationwide rollout, beginning with Delta State, as it works towards reaching five million households by 2030 with access to clean cooking energy.
