The International Centre for Energy, Environment, and Development (ICEED) has expressed concern about the health risks and environmental impact of cooking with firewood.
Mr Ewah Eleri, Executive Director of the Centre, stated this on Monday at the launch of the Clean Cooking program in Abakaliki.
According to Eleri, the use of wood for cooking contributes to environmental degradation and climate change.
According to the World Health Organization, 78,000 Nigerians died as a result of inhaling smoke while cooking with firewood.
“The program, which was launched today, will bring the benefits of clean cooking to 130 households and small businesses in the state, as well as 30 boarding schools.”
“It will increase access to modern and healthy cooking as well as domestic production of clean cookstoves in the state’s 13 LGAs,” Eleri said.
Mrs Richael Umahi, the governor’s wife in Ebonyi, stated that affordable, dependable, and research-based cooking methods had become critical to ensuring a healthy environment.
Umahi expressed hope that the method would save lives, particularly those in rural communities.
She urged students in boarding secondary schools to continue practicing efficient clean cooking.
“I am grateful to ICEED and the Heinrich Boll Stiftung for this lofty initiative.”
“It will have a positive impact on our people and will encourage the center to do more research development for affordable cooking methods,” Mrs Umahi said.
Also addressing, Mr Steven Odo, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Business Development, suggested that the idea be used to promote entrepreneurship and economic development.
Odo stated that the involvement of key stakeholders would hasten the achievement of the initiative’s goals.