President Jonathan on Tuesday flagged off the distribution of N9.2 billion clean stoves for rural women across the country.
Launching the stoves in the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, Vice President Namadi Sambo said that the stoves will go a long way to reduce desertification in the country.
The stoves, he said, will also boost job creation and reduce smoke related diseases among the rural women.
He said: “One of the important global problems today is environmental problem. And desertification in Nigeria is one of our major environmental problems. And as a result, one of the major causes is this problem of cutting the trees and using the wood as a source of energy for cooking.”
“This idea then came up to have alternative sources for cooking for our women. So, this programme, which Mr. President has graciously approved for the initial take off under the Environmental Ministry with the sum of N9.2 billion to procure these cooking utensils and distribute it all over the country to our women.”
“And by so doing, contributes to stopping the usage of trees for firewood for cooking. In addition to that, it has stopped women from inhaling the smoke, which is responsible for the yearly death of about 90,000 women.”
“We believe this is a very important contribution towards arresting desertification in Nigeria.”
On her part, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laraba Malam, disclosed that only 15 percent of N5 billion, amounting to N1.3 billion has been paid to the contractor for all the supplies so far made.
She said: “We have only paid 15 percent to the contractor and he has supplied. There is no controversy about the cost of the contract. The truth is that Mr. President and the Federal Executive Council approved N9 billion for 750,000 pieces of the clean stove.”
