- Government, environmentalists warn against deforestation, climate crisis
As the cost of living continues to rise, many housewives in Nigerian cities have been switching to charcoal pots and firewood as alternatives for cooking as the price of cooking gas skyrockets.
The Point gathered that this development has led to higher demand for charcoal and firewood as environmental activists have expressed concerns over the likely impacts on the environment and ecosystem.
In the last few months, the price of cooking gas has soared in some Nigerian cities as some sell a kilogram for as high as N1, 500.
The electricity tariff hike, it was gathered, has prevented many households in urban communities from using electric powered cookers.
To this end, checks by The Point revealed that most Nigerians who can no longer afford the high cost of cooking gas have resorted to cooking with charcoal pots and firewood, which they say are cheaper.
Some Nigerians who spoke with The Point lamented that although the firewood and charcoal pots expose them to health hazards, they have no option than to continue using them because they are the cheaper options for now.
Before now, charcoal and firewood methods of cooking were only rampant in rural communities but the economic hardship in the country has forced many households in urban areas and cities to abandon cooking gas and electric cookers for old means of preparing their meals.
Some of the affected Nigerians have lamented and appealed to the federal and state governments to act swiftly to address the economic crisis, noting that expensive prices of cooking gas and electricity tariff are compounding their woes.
A resident of Osogbo, capital of Osun State, Omolara Idowu, said, “Before, cooking gas used to sell for N300 per kg and later, it increased to N500. It was sold for N700 late last year, but now, they sell for as high as N1, 500. The choice we have now is to cook with charcoal and firewood because we cannot afford cooking gas and electricity bills have been increased.”
Another housewife in Lagos, Mojisola Adebayo, lamented that “due to the Nigerian economy, things are very hard for us women, especially mothers. Most of us used to use cooking gas before but we have resorted to charcoal pots. Some of us are using firewood which is bad for our health because of the smoke.
“We are buying gas at the sum of N1, 200 per kg, we now use charcoal or firewood to prepare our food. It has already affected me.”
Meanwhile, state government and environmental experts have said charcoal and firewood might worsen deforestation and compound global warming crisis in the country.
An environmental activist, Waheed Saka, said higher demand for charcoal will further compound the global warming crisis as it would lead to deforestation since the production of charcoal requires cutting down and burning of trees.
Reacting to the use of charcoal and firewood by housewives, he said, “It is a call for concern for climate change experts and the government. It is not sustainable either way, so, government must find ways to reduce the cost of cooking gas.”
Also, the Kwara State Government has reiterated its warning to charcoal dealers in the state to refrain from engaging in illegal tree felling.
Issuing the warning, the state Commissioner for Environment, Ndanusa Usman, emphasized the severe consequences that await those who violate the law by cutting down trees for charcoal production.
Usman underscored that anyone found involved in tree felling for charcoal production would face legal consequences.
Speaking during the ongoing enforcement exercise, the Commissioner highlighted that deforestation, primarily caused by logging, poses significant negative impacts on both the environment and its inhabitants.
“Deforestation contributes to climate change and can adversely affect various aspects such as food production, air quality, water resources, and overall environmental health,” Usman stated.
