PROJECT BREATH CLEAN AIR ABUJA: 5,000 COOKING GAS CYLINDERS DISTRIBUTED IN FCT
By: Doris Jonah
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with IHS Nigeria Limited, Towers of Strength, has successfully distributed 5,000 cooking gas cylinders to 5,000 beneficiaries free of charge across the six Area Councils of the territory.
The 2nd phase distribution of 2,500, which commenced at Sabon Gari ward in Gwagwalada Area Council, was concluded at Kuduru ward in Bwari Area Council.
To mark the closure, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, commended and appreciated the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesome Wike for his visionary leadership, which paves way for impactful partnership and collaboration like that of IHS Nigeria Limited.
Dr. Fasawe, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary (HSES), Dr. Baba Gana Adam, noted that the project is very dear to the FCT Administration because of the health hazard linked to indoor air pollution caused by harmful emissions from firewood, kerosene/ charcoal, and the need to protect the immediate environment due to the effect of climate change on the ecosystem.
The Mandate Secretary also applauded IHS Nigeria Limited for meaningfully impacting the lives of FCT residents as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by ensuring that beneficiaries not only get free cooking gas cylinders but also refill vouchers and one-year free health insurance for basic healthcare to indeed “renew hope one household at a time.”
In her words, “there is no better way of renewing hopes of the people rather than improving and ensuring sustainability of this initiative because a healthy community is a wealthy community,” she said.
Equally, Dr. Fasawe urged beneficiaries to make good use of the gas cylinders as it is not for sale and also remember the safety measures as they have been taught by the fire safety official on how to put on/off the gas, how to put out fire from a faulty cylinder, checking the expiry date and not wearing over flowing clothings when using the gas as well.
Furthermore, the Associate Director of Sustainability, IHS Nigeria Limited, Asmau Smaila, who spoke on behalf of IHS Nigeria Limited, noted that the organization is fostering the initiative as part of its core values of rendering beneficial services to humanity and remains committed to private/public partnership to impact the lives of Nigerians across the board.
She appreciated the FCT Administration, HSES team, and community leaders for making the project a reality through the mobilization of eligible beneficiaries, smooth access to selected communities, thereby creating a friendly environment for the successful distribution of gas cylinders, as well as enrollment of beneficiaries for health insurance.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director of Primary Health Care, Bwari Area Council Dr. Basil Mogaji thanked FCTA and IHS Nigeria Limited for a promise fulfilled and cautioned beneficiaries to utilize and switch to use gas cylinders, which has been provided at no cost and avoid firewood, charcoal, and kerosene because of the harm and illnesses that can be contacted from their usage.
Project Breath Clean Air-Abuja was officially launched in FCT on 15th November, 2025, to encourage clean cooking by switching to the use of gas/renewable energy in place of firewood, kerosene, and charcoal in order to address and tackle indoor air pollution caused by harmful emissions from burning fuels.
The 1st phase of distributing 2,500 was carried out in 2025. For the 2nd phase, 400 beneficiaries were captured in in Ayaura ward, Abaji Area Council, while 500 persons benefited in Kuchigoro ward, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). 400 persons benefited in Kuduru ward, Bwari Area Council, and 400 in Yangoji ward, Kwali Area Council. 400 persons were beneficiaries in Jeida Ward, Kuje Area Council, and 400 in Sabon Gari ward, Gwagwalada Area Council, respectively.
