As part of efforts at reducing health hazards and protecting the environment, Global Environment Facility (GEF) of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Friends Of The Environment (FOTE) in partnership with Zenith Bank, have empowered over 100 women in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State on the use and benefits of cooking gas.

Chairperson of FOTE, Mrs. Joanna Maduka, said the programme is aimed at preventing health hazards from environmental pollution among rural women in the country.

She noted that from baseline study conducted during the pre-event survey, it was discovered that 86 per cent of the women cook with kerosene stove and firewood, while 14 per cent make use of gas.

“Averagely, 86 per cent of the people surveyed spend between N5,000 to N10,000 monthly on firewood and kerosene while those who use the LPG spend averagely N3,500 on refilling the gas. On further discussion, all of the women indicated their interest in the use of gas. However they lacked the initial sum for purchase of the cylinder and gas burner,” she said.

Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Zenith Bank, Mrs. Eunice Sampson, advised the women to take advantage of the reduced prices in LPG, insisting that it would help improve their health and also protect the environment.

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The event was also used to introduce the Zenith wonder bag, a heat retention cooker, which saves more than 30 per cent of regular energy costs. The event is the first of a seven-part awareness campaign, which includes four more local councils in Lagos and two local councils in Ogun State.