Health Futures Solutions Initiatives is the Partner of the Month of September! In this interview, the Executive Director of Programmes, Dr. Omede Ogu shares their activities in the clean cookstoves sector.
Give us a brief introduction about your organisation
Health Futures Solutions Initiatives (HFSI) is a Non-Governmental Organization with a wealth of development experience in Management, Advocacy, Communication, Social Mobilization, Finance and Government Affairs. We provide expertise and specialist skills with the aim of creating value, maximizing growth or improving the business performance of our clients.
What does your organization seek to achieve in the Nigeria’s cooking energy market?
Our organisation seeks to achieve greater partnership in Nigeria’s cooking energy market as well as ensuring lower operating costs, better processes and proven technology, methodology and approach. We deliver a strategy to meet short-term and long-term goals and building a World-Class organization and sector.
Can you tell us about your clean cookstoves and clean cooking activities including your achievements?
Our organization chairs the resource mobilization committee of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. We provide an advisory role in strategy development and advocacy. We also participate in concept development.
What are your biggest challenges in carrying out your activities in the sector?
Our biggest challenge working in the clean cooking sector is the weak state of the sector and the inability to utilize optimally offered advice. More so, the inability to create an effective review mechanisms impact on the activities of HFSI to the sector.
What are the benefits of your clean cooking activities to the consumers?
Our activities enhance the knowledge of the sector and enable consumers to make an informed decision on the products to purchase. We also ensure that access to the market is improved.
How does your clean cooking activity help drive employment generation and the empowerment of women?
Women are part of our workforce. We conduct sensitization activities for Human Capital Development (Technical & Skill) on clean cooking technologies with special focus on women. Our specific targets are women entrepreneurial & skill acquisition coaches and mentors.
If you are asked to advise the Federal Government of Nigeria on policy options, what are the three most important things the government can do to expand the clean cookstoves market?
To expand the clean cookstoves market, the Federal Government of Nigeria should build Human Capital Development (Technical & Skill). The government should also encourage adequate sensitization in the rural areas to promote and improve rural clean cookstove economy. Finally, the government should ensure that activities in the clean cookstoves sector are linked to an accountable framework.
If an enabling environment is not created by government, what future risks do you envisage?
If the government does not create an enabling environment, there will be an increase in household engagement risk and ownership. Economic risk will also increase as communities will be driving clean cookstoves activities. Furthermore, knowledge of expansion strategies & mechanisms for improved returns will be impeded.
What are your suggestions for moving the clean cooking energy market forward in Nigeria?
To move the clean cooking energy market forward, we should create a functioning solution Task Team with targeted and specific terms of reference. Incentives should be provided for this team.
Is there any other thing you would like to share?
The immediate Management of the Alliance needs to provide end of a term evaluation report before transiting or transmitting power to the next management.
