Women affairs ministry partners UNWomen on N300m biogas project for rural women

The Federal Minister of Women Affairs, Barr Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye has pledged to allocate over N300 million of government resources to a low-cost biogas project designed to address energy poverty and associated socio-economic challenges confronting women in rural communities.

Rural women predominantly rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking fuel. However, with the removal of fuel subsidy and its attendant rise in the cost of living, urban dwellers are also increasingly embracing the use of charcoal for cooking.

The minister announced that this initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the UN Women Nigeria Country Office.

The low-cost biogas innovation, capable of producing flammable gas from animal dung and crop residues, has been showcased as a superior alternative to traditional sources of cooking fuel, such as firewood.

Its affordability and substantial economic, health, and environmental advantages underscore its viability and sustainability. The necessary equipment for this commendable initiative will be provided to women, and animal dung, widely available in most rural communities, will be procured at minimal or no cost.

UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, highlighted the innovative project to not only present an avenue for women to generate income but also address crucial issues such as eliminating health risks linked to firewood, curbing deforestation, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change challenges.

Furthermore, it will enhance women’s security, create a clean cooking environment, and improve agricultural yields by utilizing the nutrient-rich by-product of the biogas installation as organic manure for crop production.

The Biogas project will also create employment for young people who may supply animal dung or venture into the business of producing Biogas and selling it to households in communities for an affordable amount.

The ministry commended the initiative, expressing confidence that it would alleviate women’s suffering in Nigeria.

She also urged Federal and State Governments to rise to the occasion and invest in Biogas to empower women in rural communities and alleviate poverty to a larger extent.