By Agbafo Ijeoma
The Kano State Government has commenced the distribution of 3,400 clean cooking stoves allocated to vulnerable women in the state by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Water and Climate Change, Dr Dahir Hashim, inaugurated the distribution exercise on Monday in Kano. He said about 800 clean cooking stoves had already been distributed to vulnerable women across the state.
Hashim said the stoves were part of the 3,400 units allocated to Kano by the Federal Ministry of Environment. He added that Governor Abba Yusuf had supported each of the 800 beneficiaries with N25,000 to help strengthen their small businesses.
The commissioner said the intervention was part of efforts to reduce emissions and address health risks associated with prolonged exposure to firewood smoke. He noted that women who use firewood for cooking had faced serious health hazards from inhaling toxic smoke, adding that the clean cooking stoves would help reduce their exposure and the risk of respiratory diseases.
Hashim commended the Federal Government for the initiative and urged beneficiaries to use the stoves judiciously. He also disclosed that the state government was working towards the solarisation of street lights and several Ministries, Departments and Agencies as part of its efforts to address climate change and support communities.
