The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has donated 40 eco-efficient cooking stoves to the personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command.
The NEWMAP’s Social Livelihood Specialist, Enugu, Scholastica Ani, presented the stoves to the Controller of Corrections, Mr Joseph Emelue, at the command’s headquarters on Wednesday.
Addressing the personnel of the command, Ani said the stoves would help households to reduce their dependence on firewood.
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She further said the stoves had the benefit of checking deforestation and indiscriminate cutting of trees.
According to her, a reduction or outright non-usage of firewood will help to protect the environment and, by extension, the general climatic condition of the country.
“We are experiencing a rise in the temperature in the state due to the negative human attitudes on the environment.
“The negative attitudes include indiscriminate cutting of trees, over grazing and at times bush and tree burning to gather charcoal.
“Some people even engage in these negative environmental practices for socio-economic reasons.
“NEWMAP has been doing much to check the phenomenon by providing alternatives to firewood for Nigerians in this condition in some communities.’’
Ani described the stoves as economical and easy to maintain, in addition to being highly environmentally friendly.
She said the agency had earlier donated two gigantic eco-effective stoves, worth over N700,000, to the command.
She said the objective was to reduce the quantity of firewood used daily for cooking for the inmates.
Receiving the stoves, Emelue thanked NEWMAP for its support to the command, saying the gesture would help to reduce the monthly expenses on firewood.
“We are most grateful as a command for your beneficial partnership with us and your continued donation of stoves to us,’’ he said.
The command’s Spokesman and a beneficiary of the stove, Mr Emeka Monday, thanked the agency for the donation and enlightenment on the benefits of best environmental practices.
“I am grateful and believe the stove will definitely reduce the amount we spend on kerosene in our respective households,’’ Monday said. (NAN)