FG ENDORSES A GROUNDBREAKING CLEAN COOKSTOVES PROJECT IN NIGERIA

In a related move towards global sus­tainable development and environ­mental conservation, and empowerment, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Council on Climate Change has officially endorsed a revolutionary initiative aimed at addressing global climate crisis, environmental challenges and improving livelihoods across the nation.

Green­plinth Africa Limited, in collabo­ration with strategic partners, in Article 6.4 project has been launched to distribute 80 mil­lion clean cookstoves free of charge to households throughout Nigeria.

This initiative, the largest single clean cooking systems project in the world, marks a significant step forward in combatting the adverse health and environmental impacts associated with traditional cooking methods, such as indoor air pollu­tion and deforestation.

The provision of clean cook­stoves is set to transform the lives of millions of Nigerians, partic­ularly women and children, who are disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of traditional cooking practices. The adoption of clean and efficient cookstoves by house holds will lead to improved in door air quality, reduce respiratory illnesses, and largely contribute to mitigating climate change through lower carbon emissions. ­

In a statement by Dr. Olawale Akinwumi, president and CEO of Greenplinth Africa Limited, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, recently issued a formal letter of endorsement (LoE) for the improved and efficient cook­ing energy solution for Nigeria – a programmatic Article 6.4 project.

Dr. Dahiru, who is also the Des­ignated National Authority (DNA) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Focal Point in Nigeria, averred that the project would re­sult in greenhouse gas emission re­duction and more importantly lead to sustainable forest development and job creation in Nigeria.

According to him, besides re­duction in domestic emissions, the project will decrease upper respi­ratory infections, thereby leading to improved health conditions; and equally enhance the nation in achieving sustainable development and the goals of Nigeria’s Nation­ally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Speaking on the importance of the project, Dr. Victor Fodeke, Vice President and GMD of Greenplinth Africa Limited, stated that the ini­tiative will particularly benefit vulnerable communities, women, and children, who bear the brunt of health issues linked to traditional cooking practices.

“Nigerians will experience tan­gible benefits while collectively con­tributing to global efforts in combat­ing climate change”, he said.

Dr. Fodeke, a former Technical Adviser on Climate Change to the African Union (AU), declared that in addition to the deployment of clean cookstoves, the project in­cludes an ambitious afforestation campaign, with plans to plant a staggering 4 billion economic trees across the nation. This initiative not only aims to combat deforestation but also to promote sustainable land management practices, en­hance biodiversity, and create eco­nomic opportunities for commu­nities across Nigeria – stimulating economic growth by creating new avenues for employment and in­come generation.

“The Article 6.4 Clean Cook­stoves Project will be a foreign exchange earner for the Nigerian economy. This is first time anywhere in the world that efficient clean cook­stoves project of this magnitude is being launched to be fully funded for every household and 100% financed by Carbon Credits.

“Our PANDA Cookstove is also the first clean cookstove in the world to be launched with the co-benefit of Innovative Tree Plant­ing and Nurturing to eliminate or reduce poverty, hunger, and diseas­es,” he concluded. This is a very good opportunity to engage hands that want to be self-reliant in the production of this stoves.

Stephen Gums

AFRICANPARROT TV.