Tinubu’s LPG Initiative: Diri Seeks Fair Deal For Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Initiative, describing it as a bold and timely intervention aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians while advancing the country’s clean energy transition.

Hotnews reports that the Governor gave the commendation on Tuesday during the launch of the Decade of Gas: National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, where Bayelsa emerged as the first state to benefit from the state-level rollout of the initiative.

The programme, which is expected to benefit no fewer than 27,000 residents across Bayelsa State, is designed to provide vulnerable households with LPG cylinders and encourage a transition from traditional firewood cooking to cleaner and safer cooking energy.

Governor Diri described the initiative as a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to ensuring that communities producing Nigeria’s vast oil and gas resources also enjoy the direct benefits of cleaner and more sustainable energy.

He noted that for decades, communities in the Niger Delta had endured environmental degradation, poverty and neglect despite contributing immensely to the nation’s economy through oil and gas production.

According to him, the LPG initiative signals the beginning of a more inclusive and people-centred approach to development.

The Governor expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), development partners and sponsors for bringing the programme to Bayelsa, stressing that the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to improving the living standards of the people.

He explained that encouraging households to embrace cooking gas instead of firewood would significantly reduce wood logging, deforestation and the environmental destruction associated with indiscriminate tree felling.

Governor Diri further stated that beyond protecting the environment, the transition to LPG would improve public health by reducing exposure to harmful smoke generated from traditional cooking methods, particularly among women and children who bear the greatest burden of indoor air pollution.

He urged residents to embrace clean cooking energy and discard the long-held misconception that food prepared with firewood is superior, insisting that the health and environmental benefits of LPG far outweigh such beliefs.

While commending the federal government for providing beneficiaries with six free cylinder refills under the programme, Governor Diri appealed for a review of the implementation framework to ensure the initiative remains sustainable.

He proposed that the free refill arrangement be extended to a two-year grace period before states assume responsibility, explaining that such an extension would provide adequate time for state governments to plan, engage relevant stakeholders and make the necessary budgetary provisions to sustain the programme.

The Governor reaffirmed the readiness of the Bayelsa State Government to collaborate with the Federal Government in expanding access to clean energy and implementing programmes that improve 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 had become the first state to host the state-level LPG cylinder distribution programme.

He explained that the initiative was conceived to make clean cooking energy more accessible and affordable for Nigerian households, reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal, improve public health, protect the environment and stimulate employment opportunities across the LPG value chain.

According to the minister, the programme is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to promoting cleaner energy solutions and improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

Ekpo assured beneficiaries that refill centres would be established closer to communities to make access to LPG more convenient while reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that gas prices remain 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 cooking by the year 2030.

He explained that the programme targets one million households annually and described Bayelsa as the ideal location for the state-level rollout, considering its strategic position as home to one of Africa’s largest gas processing facilities and its central role in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Meanwhile, during a courtesy visit by the minister to government house before the launch, Governor Diri drew attention to what he described as longstanding injustices against Bayelsa despite its enormous contribution to Nigeria’s gas sector.

He observed that although the state accounts for about 60 per cent of the gas supplied to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG), revenues such as personal income tax and other related earnings generated from the company are remitted to other states instead of Bayelsa.

The Governor appealed to President Tinubu to address what he termed an anomaly and ensure that Bayelsa receives its fair share of the economic benefits arising from its vast gas resources.

“About 60 per cent of the gas to the NLNGC 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 of the people from where this gas is collected?” he queried.

Governor Diri maintained that Bayelsa had been shortchanged for decades, a situation he said had significantly affected the state’s internally generated revenue and overall economic development.

He also lamented the severe environmental degradation and health challenges suffered by communities in the Niger Delta as a result of decades of oil exploration, oil spills and gas flaring.

According to him, the magnitude of the environmental damage informed the establishment of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) by his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, to investigate the devastating impact of oil pollution and gas flaring on the people and environment of the state.

Governor Diri expressed optimism that initiatives such as the National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme, alongside deliberate policies that ensure greater equity for host communities, would mark the beginning of a new era of environmental sustainability, energy access and inclusive development for Bayelsa and the entire Niger Delta.

~ Hot News Reporters
Wednesday, 29, July, 2026