To provide alternative fuel to firewood to the rural masses that is available,affordable and environmentally friendly as a tool for wealth creation and rural development. Since 1999, Greenshield of Nations has been as a consultant to the federal government on rural energy, to convert deforestation and desertification in the Northern states of Nigeria. With a mandate to prefer alternative fuels to firewood for domestic cooking,after a study of different alternative energies based on availability,affordability and environmental friendliness and easy usage to the rural masses,we came up smokeless coal as a better alternative as Nigeria is blessed with 3 billion tonnes of coal that can provide the country with two hundred years of use. In 2006, we also pioneered the introduction, promotion and production of biodiesel from the jatropha energy plant as an alternative to kerosine and diesel for rural development and environmental protection. We are currently running a pilot project on the application of this fuel to six communities in Katsina state of Nigeria to mitigate indoor pollution.
Contact Information
Our Focus
We have trained unemployed youth in the art of fabrication of smokeless coal stoves in 44 local governments of Kano state. This project was showcased during the world summit on sustainable development in South Africa in (2002)and subsequently was nominated for Sassakawa international environmental award by the federal government of Nigeria in (2004). Currently we are running a pilot project on the application of the Jatropha project in six communities in Katsina State,training the women and youths in fabrication of different products of Jatropha and its use in diesel engines, power generators, domestic cooking and cotton industries.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
1.We have overcome the social/cultural barriers to using traditional fuels and stovesthrough a mass mobilisation and public enlightenment campaign,in partnership with the traditional institutions. 2.We also did a public demonstration on the usage of the fuels and stove by the women. 3.We are partnering with the state and local governments to subsidize the product so as to make it affordable to the masses. 4.Also training programs have been put in place for the youth in the arts of fabrication to make the stove accessible in the rural areas.
Survey of the prevalent stoves in the markets for prices, efficiencies and environmental friendliness so as to make your stoves superior to them and more economical to use both in the fuels and appliances. Also to make the fuel available at the rural level. Rural demonstrations among the women as to the usage of the stoves and the fuel for healthy usage.
1.Stoves should be efficient, conserve fuel and direct the heat to the pots not dispensing it into the atmosphere. 2.Should be very easy to use for the rural people. 3.Emisssion:the fuel has to be very environmentally friendly i.e the emission of green house gases should be less to that of the petrol fuel, so as to mitigate indoor pollution. 4. Have a simple and durable burn with blue flame and well ventilated to allow complete conversion of the fuel.
Traditionally African women cook in a hut which is poorly ventilated which can result in carbon monoxide poisoning and also the emission from the smoke can cause asthma and irritation of the eye. The current stoves using kerosine are dirty emitting smoke and green house gases that are hazardous to the health which can result in high maternal and infant mortality.
Relevant Publications or Studies
The challenges of indoor pollution in the attainment of millennium development goals of the United Nations as it affects the maternal and child mortality in sub Sahara Africa.
Our Contribution to the Partnership
We shall participate as a special purpose vehicle to carry this project to the end users in the rural areas. We shall contribute in the areas of mobilization,awareness,demonstration campaigns and also in evaluation and monitoring the outcome as it impacts on the people and environment
