Some residents in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday, March 17, 2025, differed in the use of charcoal and firewood as alternatives to cooking gas.
Some residents who spoke said that they resolved to charcoal and firewood because they last longer.
They said this was in spite of the reduction in the price of cooking gas in the area, which now sells for N1,150 per kilogramme and N14,300 for 12.5kg, against N15,750 and N16,400 in January.
A bag of charcoal sells for N9,000, while firewood costs between N250 to N300 per piece.
A mini truck of firewood, containing about 20 pieces, ranges between N10,000 and N13,000 in price.
Mrs. Sarah Matthew, a resident of Piyawe community in Bwari, said that although she got her gas cylinder for free from a non-governmental organisation (NGO), refueling it had not been easy.
“In 2021, an NGO came here to sensitise us on the use of gas instead of unclean fuels that are harmful to us, especially through inhalation, and advising us to also stop cutting down trees.
“Then, with N3,500 or N4,000, you could fill your cylinder, but not anymore. We cannot even access it directly at the depot in Bwari because of the distance, so we buy from retailers, which is more expensive.
“My problem is that it doesn’t last long, and you’re back to refueling again. But a bag of charcoal lasts twice as long as I can use a refill of gas, and I can manage it to last even longer,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs. Shekwoyemi Solomon, another resident, said that she had to put her cylinder aside and resume using firewood as that was her family’s initial method of cooking.
She said firewood was a better option for her, in spite of the air pollution, because it was affordable and easier to manage.
According to her, many women in the community, including those in Bwari town, now alternate their cooking options due to changes in prices and resource availability.
”What works for me might not work for others who see using gas as a luxury and are willing to go out of their way to afford and use it.
“For us in this community, we are okay with our charcoal and firewood.”
However, Mrs. Anna Jacob, another resident, said that using charcoal or firewood was not an option for her.
“I cannot stand the stress and pollution that come from using charcoal or firewood.
“The price of gas has reduced in the past months, and it is my prayer and hope that it will continue to go further down to a more affordable price, like it was in the past,” she said.
In the same vein, Mr. Joseph Olagunju, an environmental expert and an advocate for the use of clean energy, said that the high cost of cooking gas had forced most people to resort to cutting down trees for fuel.
“‘The resultant effects of these activities may increase emissions and deforestation.
“‘This is against our campaign for tree planting; and with fewer communities having flora and trees, people are more likely to absorb methane gases released into the atmosphere.
“I believe that one of the best ways to reach out to people who are still dependent on trees for fuel is to reduce LPG prices and make it affordable to households at all levels,” he said.
Olagunju, who described charcoal and firewood as unclean fuels, said they were dangerous, adding that their effects were not instant but gradual.
By Veronica Dariya