Kwara Governor Unveils Eco-Friendly Alternative to Charcoal

• The initiative also includes training programs to teach individuals how to produce the briquettes, enabling them to earn income while contributing to environmental conservation
  

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Faced with the soaring cost of kerosene and cooking gas, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has introduced Eedu Ramoni, an eco-friendly and cost-effective energy source for domestic cooking.

Speaking at the unveiling event in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area, the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, said the initiative would empower communities and save costs for households. The programme also featured the planting of 160,000 trees for land reclamation across the state, organised in collaboration with the Universal Climate Initiative (UCI) and the Federal Government’s Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes programme.

Eedu Ramoni, a charcoal alternative, is made from 100% organic materials such as maize husks, rice husks, banana peels, and other agricultural waste. Unlike traditional charcoal, it does not require cutting down trees, thereby preserving forests and reducing environmental degradation.

AbdulHafiz Alao, project lead of UCI, described the product as a sustainable and cleaner alternative to traditional charcoal, which is often associated with harmful smoke and pollutants. He emphasised its environmental benefits, affordability, and potential to create jobs for youths and women in rural areas.

“This innovative product not only provides a viable substitute for charcoal but also protects our forests, reduces deforestation, and offers a healthier cooking option. Moreover, its production process creates economic opportunities for local communities,” Alao said.

The initiative also includes training programs to teach individuals how to produce the briquettes, enabling them to earn income while contributing to environmental conservation.

With the price of cooking gas at N1,350 per kilogram and kerosene costing up to N1,500 per litre, *Eedu Ramoni* offers a cost-effective alternative for both urban and rural households.