Seven Nigerian states to benefit from UN training on use of energy-efficient stoves

Rhoda Dia, project manager of the ‘Resilient Food Security Project, United Nations Development Programme, says 70 communities across seven states of the federation have been selected to benefit from a training on the use of energy-efficient stoves.

Dia, who stated this in Abuja on Monday listed the states as Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina and Gombe.

The UN had, in 2019, said at least 1.6 million people die yearly globally from smoke-related illnesses due to inefficient cooking stoves.

According to NAN, Dia said the project aims to reduce deaths resulting from the use of inefficient cooking stoves, and to also create an alternative means of livelihood for beneficiaries.

She said the project, which is also aimed at reducing deforestation, would teach beneficiaries additional job creation methods to complement the project’s efforts on agroforestry intervention.

According to the UN project manager, the programme will select five beneficiaries from the seven states to learn how to produce and market energy-efficient cooking stoves at commercial quantities, to help address health, social and environmental problems arising from smokes.

“We are excited about the training, as it would contribute to reducing deforestation, erosion of watersheds, flooding, destruction of farmlands and desertification,” she said.

Dia said the participants would enjoy benefits such as the reduction of indoor smoke levels by 90 percent and prevention of buildup of soot in the home.

She added that efficient cooking practices would help reduce pressure on forests, as less fuel wood would be used.