As the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commences full implementation of its ‘Breathe Clean Air Initiative’, over 5,000 households are set to benefit from it and also enjoy free gas cylinders with free refill of their cooking gas for six months.

This was made known on Saturday when the Safe Environment Renewable Project- Breath clean Air Abuja, was officially launched.

The Mandate secretary, FCTA, Health and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said the focus of the program is not about sharing palliatives, but to address ignorance about the people’s environment and help women manage the home and health of their household better.

She noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu has touched every area of human life with the aim of improving standards of living for all classes of people.

Fasawe stated that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has keyed into the visions of President Tinubu and has shown enough commitment towards making the FCT a better place for all.

She said; “the truth is, health is wealth. Health and environment are equal. So, the focus of this program is not only to give out palliatives, as we’ve done in the past.

“The focus of this program is to address the Renewed Hope Agenda Initiatives. It’s to tell Nigerians that if only we can put our hands together, and not wait for governments alone, we can have a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria. Because truly, with peace and prosperity Nigeria will be great again”.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, Babagena Adams, said the initiative was important, as it would help to end the stress that pregnant women pass through.

He said; “We’re also saving the pregnant women, along with the family. So, if they live healthy, they’ll be more productive, and the GDP of FCT will increase. So, a healthy community is a wealthy community, so that’s the benefit”.

Earlier in his speech, a partner of the initiative and the Chief Executive Officer, IHS Nigeria Limited, Mohammed Darwish, said the initiative was designed to help stop mothers and the children from inhaling toxic gases that are injurious to their health.

He said some of the hazards that followed long use of fire wood, charcoals for cooking are lung cancer diseases among other lung related ailments.

According to him; “the six-month voucher distributed in addition to the cylinder would encourage the beneficiaries to sustain the usage of the gas cylinders.

“This program, in a nutshell and simple English, is about helping 5,000 mothers, sisters, and daughters by not inhaling toxic gases anymore, and by really making sure that their health is better by breathing fresh air. That’s in a nutshell”.

The executive vice President of HIS, Ayotade Oyinlola, who spoke on the impact of the initiative, said the distribution will significantly reduce family income spent on medical bills.

A consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist specialist, National Hospital Abuja, and Secretary Nigerian Cancer Society, FCT Chapter, Dr. Ayuba Usman, said the initiative is centred on health prevention, while considering lifestyle improvement.

Adding her voice, Daniela Omotola, who is one those spearheading the campaign, using Rotaract Clubs in Abuja, praised the project as a timely, life-changing intervention that will help reduce pollution-related illnesses and support a healthier FCT.

Stakeholders at the launch noted that as more households transition to cooking gas, the pressure on surrounding ecosystems including tree loss, soil degradation and rising temperatures is expected to decline over time.

The FCTA said the project is part of its broader strategy to promote environmental health, reduce pollution and create safer living conditions for residents of FCT in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. (The Nation)