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Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yayaha Bello, has promised to end firewood cooking as part of efforts to save lives associated with deaths arising from the inhalation of soot (firewood cooking smokes) of many rural dwellers, and also preserve the state’s rich forest reserves, which is being threatened by the felling of trees for domestic energy demands.
Bello made the pledge during the sales launch of the Eta-Zuma Coal Briquettes/Stoves in Ankpa, Kogi State. He directed the ETA- Zuma Group to forward a proposal to the government for the supply of the coal stoves and the coal briquettes in large quantities for distribution to rural women in the state.
The governor was represented at the ceremony by the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Sanusi Usman, who expressed satisfaction at the value-addition the new domestic coal energy source will add to the country.
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“This Coal Briquettes/Stoves investment in Kogi is heartwarming to us because it will help in deforestation because the wood that is being cut for charcoal will now be spared as these coal briquettes are affordable,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Executive of the Eta-Zuma Energy Group, Dr. Innocent Ezuma, explained that he ventured into coal briquettes to curtail the use of firewood and deforestation in Nigeria. Ezuma said at the inauguration of the plant in Ankpa that the factory would produce 2,000 tonnes of coal briquettes a month.
The coal briquettes are used on specially designed stoves to eliminate soot and smoke as well as provide focused and efficient heat for domestic cooking. Ezuma also said contract had been awarded for the expansion of the factory to handle the production of additional 10,000 tonnes of coal briquettes.
