By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to households in Bayelsa State, as part of efforts to expand access to clean cooking energy and promote the use of gas across Nigeria.
The flag-off ceremony was held on Friday, 31July,2026 in Yenagoa under the Decade of Gas National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme, an initiative designed to increase LPG adoption among households and support Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources, according to a post sighted on the X handle of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the programme as a major step toward achieving wider access to clean and affordable cooking fuel.
“The National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme is a flagship Federal Government initiative aimed at accelerating the nationwide adoption of LPG as the preferred clean cooking fuel,” Ekpo said.
He explained that the initiative was central to the government’s broader efforts to improve energy access, protect the environment and enhance the well-being of Nigerians.
“The programme is central to the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding energy access, improving public health, protecting the environment, and enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians,” the minister said.
He disclosed that the programme would provide free LPG cylinders to households across Bayelsa State’s eight local government areas, with the government hoping to encourage more Nigerians to move away from traditional cooking fuels.
Also speaking at the launch, the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Rabiu Umar, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to increasing LPG usage nationwide, describing Bayelsa’s inclusion in the programme as a significant milestone in the drive to expand access to clean cooking energy in the Niger Delta.
“The Authority remains committed to deepening the use of LPG across Nigeria as part of the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative,” he said.
He added, “We will continue working with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, state governments, and industry stakeholders to make LPG more available and affordable.”
The Federal Government said the LPG penetration programme would continue across the country as part of broader efforts to promote cleaner energy, improve household welfare and strengthen Nigeria’s gas sector.
