Gov Diri Commends Tinubu's LPG Initiative, Seeks Extension Of Free Refill Grace Period

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government's Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Initiative, describing it as a bold and commendable step towards improving the welfare of Nigerians while promoting cleaner and safer energy.

The governor also lauded the programme's focus on providing LPG cylinders to vulnerable households that have traditionally depended on firewood for cooking, noting that the initiative would significantly reduce deforestation, curb environmental degradation, and improve public health.

Governor Diri made the remarks on Tuesday during the launch of the Decade of Gas: National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, where Bayelsa became the first state to benefit from the state-level rollout of the initiative.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said no fewer than 27,000 beneficiaries in Bayelsa are expected to benefit from the programme.

According to the governor, the initiative represents a significant shift in the Federal Government's approach to ensuring that oil and gas-producing communities begin to enjoy the benefits of the natural resources found in their environment.

He observed that despite contributing immensely to Nigeria's economy, communities in the Niger Delta had endured decades of environmental degradation, poverty, and neglect, expressing optimism that the LPG initiative signals the beginning of a more inclusive and equitable approach to development.

Governor Diri expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), development partners, and sponsors for bringing the programme to Bayelsa, stating that the initiative aligns with his administration's commitment to improving the quality of life of the people.

He explained that the transition from firewood to LPG would not only help preserve the environment but also reduce exposure to harmful smoke associated with traditional cooking methods, thereby improving public health.

The governor encouraged residents to embrace clean cooking energy and abandon the long-held belief that food prepared with firewood is superior.

While applauding the Federal Government's decision to provide beneficiaries with six free cylinder refills, Diri appealed for a review of the implementation framework by extending the refill support to a two-year grace period before states assume responsibility for sustaining the programme.

According to him, such an extension would provide state governments with adequate time to plan, engage critical stakeholders, and make the necessary budgetary provisions to ensure the programme's long-term sustainability.

He reaffirmed Bayelsa State's readiness to partner with the Federal Government in expanding access to clean energy and improving the welfare of citizens.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the launch as a historic milestone, noting that Bayelsa is the first state to host the state-level LPG cylinder distribution programme.

Ekpo explained that the initiative is designed to increase access to clean cooking energy, reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal, improve public health, protect the environment, and stimulate economic activities across the LPG value chain.

He added that the programme aligns with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and assured beneficiaries that LPG refill centres would be established closer to communities to improve accessibility while efforts would continue to ensure gas remains affordable for ordinary Nigerians.

Earlier, the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr. Ed Ubong, disclosed that the Federal Government aims to transition five million Nigerian households to LPG for cooking by 2030 under the programme.

He said the initiative targets one million households annually and described Bayelsa as the ideal starting point because of its strategic role as home to one of Africa's largest gas processing facilities and its significant contribution to Nigeria's oil and gas industry.

Earlier during a courtesy visit by the minister to Government House, Governor Diri stated that Bayelsa possesses more gas reserves than crude oil but lamented that the state has continued to receive little economic benefit from its vast gas resources.

He described it as unjust that revenues accruing from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG), including personal income tax and other statutory payments, are remitted to other states despite Bayelsa supplying about 60 per cent of the gas processed by the company.

"About 60 per cent of the gas to the NLNG is derived from Bayelsa State. But guess what? No tax is paid to the government of Bayelsa. All the taxes are paid to other state governments. What is the benefit to the people from where this gas is collected?" the governor queried.

He maintained that the state had been shortchanged for decades, a situation he said had adversely affected its internally generated revenue and overall development.

Governor Diri also decried the devastating environmental impact of decades of oil exploration and gas flaring in the Niger Delta, saying the resulting health hazards and ecological damage informed the establishment of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) by his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, to investigate the effects of oil spills and gas flaring in the region.