The Federal Government, in Nasarawa State, commencedthe distribution of cooking gas to 13,000 rural women across the State, as partof efforts to check hazardous emissions. Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, whileflagging-off the exercise in Lafia, said it was the first phase of the NationalCooking Gas project and Tree Planting Initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari. She said the President had directed the supply ofcooking gas cylinders to 1,000 rural women in each of the 774 local governmentareas across the country. The minister explained that the project, beingpiloted in Nasarawa State, would be executed in three phases across thecountry. Tallen said the timing of the project was apt, inview of the world’s attention towards reducing effects of green-house emissionin the society. She urged the beneficiaries to use the cooking gasfor the purpose it was meant, as the ministry had taken measures to ensure theydo not sell them.