The Decade of Gas Program has received a major boost as the *Decade of Gas Secretariat, led by its Coordinating Director, **Mr. Ed Ubong, continues to expand the nationwide **LPG Grassroots Penetration Programme* across all six geopolitical zones. The latest phase of the programme was unveiled in the South-East, targeting the transition of *one million households per year* to clean cooking gas.

The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), *Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this known in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during the official **Flag-Off of the LPG Penetration and LPG Cylinder Distribution Programme* for the South-East region.

Speaking at the event, the Minister expressed delight at being in the industrious South-East to officially launch the programme in partnership with the Imo State Government, noting that this rollout represents another significant milestone in implementing the *Decade of Gas Initiative*, championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

He emphasized that *clean cooking is more than an energy alternative— it is a life-changing intervention*. For decades, millions of Nigerian households have depended on firewood, charcoal, and kerosene, fuels that pose serious health risks, harm the environment, and place heavy burdens on women and children.

According to him, scaling up LPG adoption will:

* Eliminate harmful smoke exposure that leads to respiratory diseases;

* Reduce the time women and girls spend gathering firewood, enabling education and economic participation;

* Protect forests and biodiversity;

* Improve household savings through efficient energy use;

* Enhance safety with regulated, modern fuel systems.

He noted that clean cooking advances public health, environmental protection, and dignified living—while also aligning with the *United Nations Clean Cooking Agenda* and several *Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)*, including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The Minister disclosed that more than *17 million Nigerian households* still rely on biomass for cooking—one of the leading causes of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning these households to LPG will significantly reduce carbon emissions and safeguard national forests.

He added that the programme supports Nigeria’s broader energy transition by replacing high-emission fuels with cleaner alternatives, reducing pressure on natural resources, and advancing a more climate-resilient future.

Over recent months, the LPG Penetration Programme—coordinated by the *Decade of Gas Secretariat under Mr. Ed Ubong—has been launched across multiple geopolitical zones, including the North-Central, South-South, South-West, North-East, North-West, and now, the South-East. Under the Decade of Gas initiative, Nigeria is targeting the transition of **5 million homes to LPG by 2030*.

The Minister commended the strong partnerships behind the programme’s success and acknowledged the Imo State Government for its commitment and support. He also expressed appreciation to the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Programme, *Mr. Ed Ubong*, and the Secretariat’s private-sector partners for their technical, logistical, and operational contributions nationwide.

Addressing the beneficiaries, he noted that the LPG cylinders distributed represent *tools of empowerment*, creating opportunities across the gas value chain—from distribution and retailing to safety training and maintenance.

He added that expanding LPG usage stimulates local enterprise, creates jobs, strengthens household safety, and supports regional economic growth. The Minister emphasized that the South-East—renowned for its entrepreneurship and innovation—stands to gain immensely from emerging gas-sector opportunities.

As the programme continues, the Federal Government and the Decade of Gas Secretariat will intensify LPG safety education and strengthen last-mile distribution networks to ensure safe, reliable, and widespread adoption of LPG across every community.

He concluded with a call for collective commitment to health, safety, environmental protection, and national progress, emphasizing that together, stakeholders are building a Nigeria *where no child grows up inhaling toxic smoke, where women cook safely and with dignity, where forests are protected, and where gas truly drives national prosperity*.