Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has distributed cooking gas cylinders to some women in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state. The distribution was done in a bid to check activities that lead to global warming in rural communities.
Representing the Governor at the event, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Adegboyega Adefarati, stated that the use of charcoal and firewood for cooking contributed seriously to the depletion of the ozone layer, which has caused global warming.
He also lamented that the charcoal and the firewood were got from trees fell in the forest in the state without recourse to reafforestation. This, he said, informed the decision of the governor to distribute cooking gas cylinders to women in the communities in the local council area.
According to the commissioner, “When you use charcoal or firewood for cooking, you are contributing to global warming and deforestation. This is because like most of the charcoal and firewood sold in Ondo State come from felling trees in (virgin) forests with no concern for re-afforestation.
“Is there an alternative fuel for cooking aside charcoal, firewood and kerosene stove? Well, we have the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and it is less expensive if cylinder and burner are provided.
“Ondo State rural dwellers need alternative fuel, which is sustainable, cheaper than charcoal or firewood and readily available. This is why the Akeredolu-led administration is freely distributing gas cylinders and burners to rural women for clean and healthy cooking.”
No fewer than 200 women resident in different communities within Akoko South-West local government area went home with the gifts.