The Federal Government has officially launched the North-West Liquefied Petroleum Gas Penetration Programme in Sokoto State as part of its national agenda to promote clean and sustainable energy across the country.

The flag-off ceremony was held in Sokoto on Wednesday and featured the distribution of gas cylinders to women and youths as a key empowerment component of the initiative. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, led the Federal Government delegation to the event.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, while welcoming the federal team, lauded President Bola Tinubu for choosing Sokoto as the host of the landmark programme.

He described the initiative as “timely, visionary, and highly commendable,” noting that it aligns with both the environmental and economic priorities of the state.

“This programme aims to encourage the use of LPG for cooking and industrial purposes, thereby reducing the overdependence on firewood and other biomass fuels.

“As a Sahelian state vulnerable to desertification, this shift is not only vital for environmental protection but also critical to safeguarding the livelihoods of our people,” the governor said.

Aliyu highlighted various local efforts by his administration to combat environmental degradation, including the annual tree planting campaign across all 23 local government areas of the state.

He also emphasised the potential impact of the LPG initiative on public health, youth empowerment, and climate resilience, urging stakeholders to ensure the affordability and availability of gas, particularly in rural areas.

“For this initiative to succeed, LPG must be accessible and affordable to the average Nigerian. Doing so will discourage deforestation, improve health outcomes, and uplift living standards,” he added.

In a related development, Aliyu expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for prioritising oil exploration activities in the Kalmalo area of Illela Local Government, where significant deposits have been discovered in the Sokoto Basin.

He urged contractors handling the exploration to expedite the process, stressing its potential to boost national revenue.

The event marked a significant step in Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy sources and sustainable development, with Sokoto State pledging full support for the initiative.