Kwagilwa bans government vehicles from transporting charcoal as move to promote clean energy campaign

ARUSHA: THE Deputy Minister in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Reuben Kwagilwa, has banned government vehicles from transporting charcoal, saying the measure is intended to strengthen environmental conservation efforts and promote the use of clean energy in the country.

Kwagilwa issued the directive during a working visit to Arusha Region, where he represented the Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Hamad Yussuf Masauni.

He said some government vehicles had been transporting charcoal without measures being taken to stop the practice, contrary to the Government’s efforts to combat environmental degradation.

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“We have no choice but to take firm measures such as these in order to achieve the 2034 target of enabling 80 per cent of Tanzanians to move away from energy sources that contribute to deforestation and adopt cleaner energy,” Kwagilwa said.

He stressed that environmental conservation and protection are among the key pillars of the National Vision, adding that every institution and citizen has a responsibility to help protect the environment.

Kwagilwa also called for greater support for clean energy use to reduce dependence on energy sources that contribute to deforestation and environmental destruction.