Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has raised concerns about Nigeria’s ongoing energy challenges, revealing that a mere 10% of households across the nation rely on clean energy sources and technologies for cooking.
This alarming statistic underscores the widespread use of traditional cooking methods, which are both harmful to health and detrimental to the environment.
According to The PUNCH, in a statement released on Saturday by Ibrahim Haruna, the Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Environment, Lawal emphasized the critical need for the implementation of the National Clean Cooking Policy.
He highlighted that such a move could not only address the current energy crisis but also generate approximately 10 million direct jobs, particularly for the nation’s youth.
The minister was quoted as saying, “Nigeria is facing a silent energy crisis. Only one in 10 households in the country use clean energy sources and technologies for cooking. Traditional cooking with firewood and other polluting fuels such as kerosene and charcoal are claiming lives, causes deforestation, and contributes to the effect of climate change as well as putting a burden on women.”
Lawal’s remarks draw attention to the severe consequences of relying on firewood, kerosene, and charcoal for cooking, including the loss of lives, increased deforestation, and the acceleration of climate change.
He also noted the disproportionate burden these traditional cooking methods place on women, who are often responsible for gathering fuel and managing household cooking.
The National Clean Cooking Policy, once implemented, is expected to be a significant step towards mitigating these issues and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.
