Ikot Abasi Communities Trained on new Environmental friendly Cooking Technology 

About a hundred people drawn from three communities in Ikot Abasi local government area have been trained in the production and usage of fuel-efficient stoves.

The training carried out by Peace Point Development Foundation( PPDF) and Energy Transition Fund (ETF) is aimed at promoting environmental protection, peace building towards promoting climate justice and sustainable environmental practices in oil producing communities.

The 3 days training which held on Monday, May 2, 2022 through Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Uta Ewa Community Hall in Ikot Abasi local government area was designed for the people of Uta Ewa, Opukalama and Ikpetim communities in Ikot Abasi local government area of Akwa Ibom State

In his opening remarks, the Coordinator of PPDF, Mr Umo Isua-iko noted that the project was part of a comprehensive programme initiated by the organisation to reduce heavy dependence on fossil fuels and high quantity of firewood during cooking.

He said the training will encourage development of alternative energies and provide sustainable livelihood to the communities.

Isua-iko pointed out that his organisation is deliberate in the choice of those trained by choosing those who will cascade the knowledge thus help it become a practice in the communities.

The Coordinator envisaged that the training will help reduce deaths resulting from the use of inefficient cooking stoves, and also create an alternative means of livelihood for beneficiaries.

In his goodwill message, the village Chairman of Uta Ewa community, Elder Emmanuel Udofia said the training is deeply appreciated by the communities especially as it will not only check their wood consumption but would protect their environment.

He said: “It is indeed a rare opportunity to have people come to give back to our society in such an enlightening manner. The quantity of our wood consumption will now reduce and our environment will be better. We are happy to have you and we assure you of our full cooperation.”

Earlier, a resource person, Blessing Nyong took participants on peace building education, the need for peaceful coexistence, usage and application of natural resources.

For another resource person, Okoho Ene, who trained the participants on environmental protection, attitude towards the green economy for Climate Justice, she gave deeper insight into how the use of an efficient stove is safe for the environment. She charged participants to be ready to teach other members of their communities what they would learn.

During Day 2 of the training, participants from the 3 communities, Uta Ewa Opukalama and Ikpetim were grouped to take part in the practicals of constructing fuel wood efficient stoves.

Mr Bassey Asuquo, who took the participants on the training said that the innovation of fuel wood efficient stove was indeed a great one as it availed the people a new cooking experience with reduced risk of inhaling toxic fumes and was far more economical than cooking with firewood the conventional way. Members of the various groups and communities took their turns to construct the stoves having watched the trainer do the same.

“The fuel wood efficient stove is an improvement on the sawdusts method of cooking which many consider a very healthy way of cooking but the challenge of replacing sawdust with each cooking has been defeated with the use of clay mould mixed with sawdust.

“With the use of clay, sawdust, thoroughly mixed with water, left in the mould and sundried, one could use a small quantity of firewood to cook meals for days and the stove can last as long as possible pending on the usage”, Bassey said.

On the third day of training, it was time for the test running of the stoves by members of the community to ascertain how it worked. Members of the community in their groups made fire, cooked meals and narrated their experiences.

Stella Solomon, one of the participants from Uta Ewa said: “This is entirely a new experience, we have not seen such a thing, I appreciate this NGO for bringing this innovation to us.”

Sopirinye Jaja from Opukalama said: “I am very excited to have taken part in the training, I am not just pleased but even surprised to see that the stove cooked faster and with little or less smoke at all.

Magnus Akpan, a representative of the Ikpetim community said: This is indeed a blessing to all of us, and we are ready to embrace this development for the betterment of our lives.

The training was rounded off with a group photograph with members of PPDF and participants. The fuel wood efficient stoves handed over to the 3 communities which the chiefs and representatives received for effective distribution.

Chief Utitofon Ebong, the secretary of Uta Ewa community, in his closing remarks thanked the organization for coming to the community, describing the training as impactful with assurance that they will make good use of the knowledge impacted on them.