The Zamfara State Government has commenced the distribution of seven hundred clean cooking stoves free to beneficiaries across the fourteen Local Government Areas of the state.
The initiative, organized by the State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, is aimed at reducing dependence on firewood, protecting the environment and improving the health and welfare of residents, particularly women and children.
Deputy Governor of the State, Mani Malam Mummuni while flagging off the distribution in Gusau, the state capital, said the initiative was part of the administration’s commitment to environmental conservation and improving the living conditions of the people.
Malam Mummuni explained that, many communities in Zamfara, particularly those in rural areas, depend heavily on firewood for cooking, a practice which contributes to deforestation, loss of vegetation and environmental degradation.
According to him, traditional cooking methods also expose women and children to indoor air pollution, which could result in respiratory and other health-related problems.
The Deputy Governor said the clean cooking stoves would help reduce the quantity of firewood required for daily cooking, lower household cooking costs, save the time spent collecting firewood and contribute to the state’s climate action efforts by reducing harmful emissions.
He directed the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure transparency in the distribution of the stoves to the intended beneficiaries across the state.
The Deputy Governor also called on beneficiaries to receive proper orientation on the safe and efficient use and maintenance of the stoves.
Mani Malam Mummuni reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development across Zamfara State.
In his remarks, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Abdulrahman Muhammad Tumbido, said the seven hundred clean cooking stoves would be distributed to beneficiaries across the fourteen Local Government Areas of the state.
He said the initiative was designed to support households in adopting cleaner and more efficient cooking methods while addressing some of the environmental and health challenges associated with the use of firewood.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the state government for the gesture, describing the clean cooking stoves as timely and beneficial to households.
The event was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, environmental stakeholders, community leaders and beneficiaries from across the state.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
