RismadarVoice Reporters
August 20, 2026
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has empowered 3,000 women in Akwa Ibom State with ₦100,000 each to strengthen their businesses, boost household incomes and support economic activities at the grassroots.
The initiative, launched in Uyo on Thursday, also featured the activation of the National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme under the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, with 27,000 LPG cylinders earmarked for distribution across the state.
Speaking at the event, Ekpo said the intervention was designed to strengthen families and communities by investing directly in women, who he described as key drivers of grassroots economic activity.
He said the beneficiaries could deploy the grants to expand their businesses, support their families and invest in agricultural production.
“When women are empowered, families are strengthened; when families are strengthened, communities prosper; and when communities prosper, the nation advances,” the Minister said.
On the LPG programme, Ekpo said the 27,000 cylinders would promote the adoption of cleaner and safer cooking energy while reducing dependence on firewood, charcoal and kerosene.
He disclosed that beneficiaries would also receive support for six cylinder refills, with refill points to be established across the 31 local government areas to ensure sustained access to cooking gas.
According to him, the national programme targets five million households by 2030, with Akwa Ibom becoming the second state, after Bayelsa, to benefit from the state-level activation.
The Minister urged beneficiaries and stakeholders to ensure responsible use of the facilities, stressing that safety education, reliable refill systems and community ownership were critical to the success of the programme.
Also speaking, Governor Umo Eno commended the Minister for the initiative, describing it as a life-changing and transformative intervention that would improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries.
Governor Eno assured that his administration would continue to provide the infrastructure and enabling environment required to attract and sustain gas-based investments in Akwa Ibom.
Coordinator of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr Ed Ubong, said the 27,000 cylinders would be distributed to verified beneficiaries, with refill facilities strategically located in each local government area.
