Abuja, 15 April, 2024 / 12:17 pm (ACI Africa).
The launching of a charcoal briquette making factory in Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja continues initiatives aimed to realize “a better environment” in line with the recommendations of Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical Letter “on care for our common home”, Laudato Si’, the Local Ordinary has said.
In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the April 11 event that was held at Our Lady of Fatima Kwali Parish of his Metropolitan See, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama said, “Today we are here again like we did last year with planting of trees. This was also to create a better environment. Today it is the briquettes, the charcoal that is made specially to facilitate cooking in households and limits the emission level into the environment.”
“It is the implementation of Laudato Si' that has led us to this event today. It's not just about talking. The Holy Father is concerned about the environment that is deteriorating and we can adjust some lifestyles that will help to remedy the deterioration,” Archbishop Kaigama said about the initiative of the Justice Department and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI) of his Metropolitan See in Kwali Area Council of Abuja.
The charcoal briquette production initiative is also an “attempt to ensure that our people, especially the rural dwellers, get help and support in the midst of such harsh economic hardships”, he said about the factory with the capability to produce 2,000 briquettes per day.
The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop went on to advocate for positive environmental practice, and added, “People think that if you don't do big things, it doesn't impact on the environment. Do little. Everybody, stop throwing that plastic bag you have where you've eaten your bread. Throw it in the trash bin, not just anyhow.”
