Saudi Arabia’s Oil and Sustainability Program (OSP), in collaboration with the ministry of petroleum resources, has launched the national human capacity training program for the adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for clean cooking in Edo state.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the Saudi Embassy in Nigeria, the scheme aims at bridging the availability and accessibility gaps in adopting LPG for cooking, with a strategic plan that includes establishing micro-distributed points of retail outlets across the country.

“The program will see the establishment of numerous micro-distribution points and retail outlets throughout Nigeria, and will be facilitated by mobilization, sensitization, and training of local communities,” Saudi Embassy said.

“This approach not only increases access to clean cooking solutions but also empowers unemployed youths by creating job opportunities as volunteer trainees within the program.

“This collaborative effort represents a major commitment by the Nigerian government to its environmental and social development goals, which also aligns with the Kingdom’s Middle East Green Initiative’s (MGI) Clean Fuel Solutions for Cooking Initiative, launched in 2021 with the aim of providing clean cooking solutions to 750 million people worldwide.”

Led by OSP, through its clean fuel solutions for cooking initiative (Forward7), the programme focuses on populations that experience health hazards and environmental degradation due to dangerous traditional cooking practices such as coal and wood.

“The Clean Fuel Solutions for Cooking initiative recognizes the urgent need to shift away from traditional and hazardous cooking practices, which pose severe health risks to communities. By providing cleaner cooking alternatives, such as LPG, biodigesters, and renewable energy, the Kingdom’s initiative aims to mitigate the health and environmental risks, ultimately saving countless lives,” the embassy said.

“With the implementation of the National Human Capacity Training Program for the Adoption of LPG in Nigeria, the nation takes a significant step towards achieving its sustainability goals and contributing to the global effort to address the challenges of traditional energy practices.”

Saudi Arabia and Nigeria’s coordinated approach, according to the statement, demonstrates a shared commitment to creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for all