By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with IHS Nigeria, has distributed 10,000 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders and refill vouchers to households in 18 communities across the six Area Councils of the FCT under the Project Breathe Clean Air Abuja initiative.
The project, which concluded on Thursday at the Bwari Mini Stadium, also recorded measurable improvements in indoor air quality among beneficiary households, according to findings from its monitoring and evaluation exercise.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmud, represented by Maijida Kuku, said the initiative was designed to reduce respiratory illnesses caused by indoor air pollution by encouraging the use of clean cooking energy.
She noted that women and children are the most affected by smoke from firewood, charcoal and kerosene, adding that increased adoption of LPG would improve public health, protect the environment and support efforts to address climate change.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the project, launched in November 2025 with support from IHS Nigeria, was conceived in response to rising cases of respiratory infections and allergies linked to prolonged exposure to smoke from traditional cooking fuels.
She explained that, in addition to distributing gas cylinders, the FCTA and IHS Nigeria carried out community sensitisation campaigns on the safe use of LPG and monitored the programme’s impact on household air quality.
According to Fasawe, handheld air quality sensors installed in 30 households in Kurudu and Pyakasa communities revealed that homes using firewood and charcoal recorded fine particulate matter levels above the World Health Organisation’s recommended limits. However, follow-up assessments showed significant improvements in indoor air quality after beneficiaries switched to LPG.
She said the findings provide local evidence to support policies on clean energy adoption, air quality management and public health, adding that the FCTA has also procured two outdoor air quality monitoring sensors to generate real-time environmental data for planning and decision-making.
The Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of IHS Nigeria, Mohamed Darwish, represented by the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, Dapo Otunla, described the initiative as part of the company’s sustainability commitment.
He said the project supports the transition from biomass fuels, helping to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and protect natural ecosystems while enhancing the health and wellbeing of households, particularly women and children.
Also speaking, Consultant Clinical and Radiation Oncologist at the National Hospital Abuja, Dr Ayuba Usman, described the programme as a critical public health intervention that could help reduce the incidence of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. She urged governments, development partners and private organisations to invest in similar preventive health initiatives.
Beyond households, the project reached schools, where pupils and students received educational materials promoting environmental sustainability and healthy living, while pregnant women were provided with baby care kits to support maternal and child health.
The event was attended by representatives of the Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Council chairmen, senior FCTA officials, traditional rulers, security agencies and other stakeholders.
