Nigeria’s economy depends majorly on revenue generated from oil minerals, however, there have been major challenges in recent time because of militants and youth unrest in this region, neglect of non-oil minerals, economic melt down, and lack of regular power supply which has caused generator proliferation. This has called for a change and the need to join in the global warming crusade to reduce the green house gas emissions through sustainable alternatives. The fact that some are already used to LPG made it difficult to convince them on the issue of ethanol gel because of modalities of turning gel into the container. However, the areas of safety, environment and costs have given some second thoughts to keep this device as a second option at home especially when the LPG is not readily available or finished suddenly while cooking. Kerosene has been in existence for a long time. There is need for elaborate programmes to create awareness.
The widespread global recession is a big challenge for all stakeholders and it is imperative that the decision makers should begin to look into other alternative fuel sources that ordinary people can leverage, especially in this economic crisis.
Market Research
The urge to have a supplementary cooking facilities or an alternative fuel is becoming an issue in Nigeria. LPG is not only expensive but equally scarce and is already getting beyond what an average Nigerian can afford. Most importantly, mismanagement of gas since its inception has created a phobia for over 50% of users because of the danger it has inflicted (i.e. burning of homes, offices alike amongst others) hence it has relegated some into using conventional stoves with paraffin i.e. kerosene.
Meanwhile, kerosene itself is no longer cheap; the price runs in parallel with Petrol and diesel and is not readily available in the market. Kerosene equally creates a phobia in homes where it has been carelessly left unprotected while children have picked it up and mistaken it for water. Adulterated kerosene has burnt homes and consumed some human beings too in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s population remains the major factor of any business and will be on top with prediction of over 15% users of ethanol fuel of the estimated 150 million in the next 3 years. However, we have realized that over 70% of the population has reason to boil or cook something on fire. 10% of the 70% use Gas, 25% use kerosene and others are back or remain on wood, charcoal and other means.
Ethanol fuel and stoves will create a genuine alternative, bridge the class of upper and lower once again and create an enabling environment for users. We will begin to produce the ethanol fuel locally to make it readily available. Many Nigerians are interested in this new development.
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