The Nigerian government has approved N9billion for the distribution of 750, 000 Clean Cook Stoves and 18,000 Wonder bags to Nigerians, in a bid to stop the depletion of forest resources caused by indiscriminate felling of trees.

The approval followed a memo presented by the Minister of Environment, Laurentia Mallam, at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting the Federal Government.

The stoves and wonder bags, meant for women in the rural areas, would be distributed under the National Clean Cooking Scheme, NCCS, which seeks to stem the use of solid fossils like firewood and
charcoal for cooking.

Wonderbag is a non-electric slow cooker invented by Sarah Collins, a South African eco-entrepreneur. She came up with the idea six years ago during a power cut, when she decided to keep her dinner cooking by surrounding the pan with cushions.

According to scientists, each Wonderbag can prevent the emission of half a ton of carbon dioxide a year, and could save a poor family a tenth of their income by cutting fuel costs.

The principle is simple: heat your food to boiling point.

In five years, the NCCS aims to distribute at least four million clean cook stoves in each of the six geo-political zone and provide 20 million clean cook stoves through-out the country.

The scheme also seeks to reduce the persistent felling of trees which exposes the country to ecological problems including desertification.

For a few minutes on the stove in a normal saucepan, pop on its lid, then transfer to the bag.

A United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, research shows that Nigeria tops the list of countries where women suffer various ailments resulting from the use of firewood.

The Minister of Environment said that in distributing the stoves and wonderbags, women
who register and buy fertiliser through the e-wallet system will be considered first. She said about two million women are currently on that database and the stoves will be distributed in batches to them.

The minister added that all women groups in the country will be involved in the distribution to ensure that there is equitable distribution.

After deliberations, members of FEC approved that the stoves be locally assembled so as to provide jobs for Nigerians amongst other benefits.

The council also unanimously ratified the President’s anticipatory approval for the contract in favours of Messrs Integra Renewable Energy Services Limited in the sum of nine billion, eighty seven million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira only (N9, 287,250,000.00) inclusive of VAT, with a delivery period of 12 weeks.

Council also approved N60 billion for the award of the contract to provide engineering infrastructure to Kyami District, Zone C, Abuja.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Bala Mohammed, while briefing journalists alongside the Supervising Minister of Information, Nurudeen Mohammed, said this is in line with the
statutory responsibility of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, of providing engineering infrastructure to the Abuja.

This is one of the residential districts located in Phase V of the city with a land area or 942.56 hectares.

He said the FCT was looking for opportunities to float bonds that will help open up more districts.

Council approved the award of the contract to Messrs. Mangrovetech Construction and Engineering Nigeria Limited (KaKatar CE Limited) in the sum of sixty billion, eight hundred and eighty seven million, four hundred and ninety two thousand, six hundred and fifty six thousand naira, sixty five kobo. (N60, 887,492,656.65) with the completion period of 60 months.