NDDC Targets Women, Youths In Major LPG Expansion Drive
NDDC Backs LPG Initiative to Empower Women and Youths
THE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has unveiled plans to strengthen the participation of women and young people in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) value chain as part of broader efforts to promote clean energy adoption, create jobs and improve livelihoods across the Niger Delta.
The initiative emerged during a strategic meeting between the Commission and representatives of the Decade of Gas Initiative at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where both parties explored areas of collaboration aimed at accelerating grassroots access to cooking gas.
Building Capacity Through Skills Development
Speaking during the engagement, NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the Commission remains committed to equipping Niger Delta youths with practical skills that align with opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving energy sector.
He noted that the Commission had earlier trained 500 youths in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) auto-gas conversion, describing the programme as part of efforts to prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within the gas industry.
According to Ogbuku, expanding women’s participation in the LPG value chain could provide sustainable income opportunities, strengthen household economies and contribute to wider social and economic development across the region.
Partnership to Drive Grassroots Gas Penetration
The NDDC boss expressed readiness to work with the Decade of Gas Initiative to ensure the successful rollout of the LPG Grassroots Penetration Programme in communities across the Niger Delta.
He stressed that collaboration among stakeholders would be critical in ensuring that women and youths benefit from the opportunities created by Nigeria’s growing gas industry.
“We are committed to partnering with stakeholders to bring the programme to reality and ensure that our people benefit from the opportunities within the gas value chain,” he said.
Ambitious National Rollout
Earlier, the Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Initiative, Mr. Ed Ubong, disclosed that the programme aims to distribute one million gas cylinders annually as part of a target of five million cylinders by 2030.
He explained that the project is designed to promote clean cooking solutions, reduce dependence on traditional fuels and expand economic participation in the gas sector.
Ubong revealed that regional launches had already been completed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and Abuja, with Bayelsa State selected as the starting point for state-by-state implementation.
Economic Growth Through Gas Development
The Decade of Gas Initiative also highlighted the need for sustained investment in gas production, infrastructure and capacity development to unlock new opportunities for industrialisation and economic diversification.
Ubong noted that increased domestic gas utilisation would boost government revenues, create jobs and enhance energy security while improving living standards for millions of Nigerians.
He further appealed for a strategic partnership with the NDDC, citing support from the World Bank and other development partners committed to advancing clean energy adoption and sustainable development.
The proposed collaboration is expected to deepen LPG penetration, expand economic opportunities for women and youths, and support long-term socio-economic growth in the Niger Delta.
