Stakeholders lead sensitisation to clean cooking technologies in Abia

Stakeholders in clean cooking, on Friday, held market fair and roadshow in Umuahia, Abia, to demonstrate and sensitise residents to clean cooking technologies as part of the efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The city-wide event, organised by the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking, in collaboration with key stakeholders, ended at the Orie-Ugba Market, Umuahia.

During the demonstration, clean cooking vendors set up exhibition stands, displaying different stove types suitable for different household needs.

The demonstrations showcased the efficiency, cleanliness, safety, and ease of using stoves.

It also provided a platform for an interface with market women and traders on how best the stoves could be utilised to achieve clean cooking.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, who led the show, said that the essence was to increase public awareness on the dangers associated with traditional cooking methods and the urgent need for cleaner alternatives.

Ogbonna explained that clean cooking technologies are safer, healthier, and more affordable.

Ogbonna emphasised that traditional cooking methods often consume more household finances than people realise.

He said: “People need to be aware that the way they cook is not healthy for them.

“Clean cooking technologies reduce financial burden, are safe, good, and affordable.

“What many people did not know is that traditional cooking methods are actually draining their finances.”

A representative of Roshan Renewables, Ms Precious Ikea, further said that although clean cooking stoves may require an upfront cost, they are significantly cheaper in the long run.

Ikea reiterated that the stoves are cheaper compared to the health expenses and environmental damage associated with traditional cooking methods, such as firewood and charcoal.

“The stoves are smokeless, environmentally-friendly, and affordable.

“They require fewer charcoal briquettes, are easy to operate, and pose no health risks to users,” he said.