Utilization of fuelwood as household energy among residents of Benin metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria

The study evaluates the utilization of fuelwood as household energy among residents in Benin metropolis. Its utilization andavailability as household energy source as well as reasons for its preference to other household energy sources was assessed.A random sampling technique was used to select 10 communities within the study area namely; Uselu, Siluko, Uwelu, Ogbaarea, Airport road, Ekehuan, Evbotubu, Aduwawa - Urora quarters, Upper sakponba The survey was carried out in theseareas with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire administered to respondents who utilize and sell fuelwood in thesecommunities. A total of 200 copies of questionnaire were administered. The main variables measured were those of fuel woodconsumption, availability and sources of fuelwood utilization. The results showed that the 50% of the respondents utilizedfuelwood as their source of domestic house hold energy. 51% of the respondents sourced their fuelwood from fuelwoodvendors while 25% source for fuelwood from their local farmland. 60% of the respondents in the study area spent an averageof N200 daily on fuelwood while 52% of the respondents have a weekly expense of above N700 on fuel wood utilization. Theaverage weekly consumption of fuelwood by 50% of the respondents was between 22 – 27 kg. Hevea braziliensis representing33% of fuelwood species was the most abundant fuelwood consumed by residents in the study araea. The results from T-testand Pearson correlation showed that there was a significant difference in the amount of fuelwood consumed in the differentcommunities within the study area. Therefore the quantity of fuelwood consumed is related to the number of persons perhousehold