The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has initiated a partnership with the UN Women for production of low cost Biogas household for rural women with a view to improving their livelihood and health status while also saving the cost and time used for cooking
The Honourable Minister, Barr Uju Kennedy Ohanenye made the disclosure Tuesday in her Office in Abuja, during a meeting with a delegation from the UN Women
She stated that the introduction of the biogas technology will not only reduce the level of suffering women engage in to get firewood from their farms, kerosene or gas for cooking but will also help them channel their time for more creative and profitable ventures, thus slowing down their aging process in the long run
According to her, the biogas technology will improve women’s use of time, enhance clean cooking environment and non-pollutant energy for cooking, reduces de-forestation, among others
Barr. Ohanenye who assured of the Organization’s willingness to sponsor more production of the product, added that the Ministry on its part, will also solicit the support of other donors and relevant stakeholders into the project in order to promote lower cost of purchase as well as free distribution to those who cannot afford it across the 774 local government areas of the country.
She added that with the life span of about 5 – 7years for the low cost biogas, women, especially those at the rural level will conserve the monies for purchase of firewood, kerosene and gas to empower themselves for more profitable ventures in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration
Earlier, the UN Women Country Director, Ms. Beatrice Eyong stated that the biogas technology is environment friendly and as such will prevent all bio- diseases related to smoke, reduce indoor air pollution and improve respiratory health in addition to reducing green-house emissions, thus keeping Nigerian women healthier.
The UN Country Director added that the biogas technology has scaled through successful research stage in Lafia, Nassarawa State and also utilizes animal waste to produce clean energy for cooking and the effluent obtained from the biogas production can be used as manure in farms to boost crop production.
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Women Affiairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Management and Staff of the Ministry for their dogged determination towards the improvement of the living standards of women, children and the vulnerable in society.
Ohaeri Osondu Joseph, Fnipr, Fcai
Special Assistant, Media
