Biteko calls for clean cooking energy support

DODOMA: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Dr. Doto Biteko has underscored the need for Tanzanians to continue supporting the government’s clean cooking energy initiative that aims to ensure 80 percent of households adopt clean energy solutions by 2034.

The DPM said in Dodoma on Friday shortly after inaugurating the Rural Energy Agency (REA) Head Office emphasizing the initiative is a critical step towards safeguarding the public health, environment, and future generations.

REA has so far started implementing the government directive on using clean cooking energy, signing six contracts valued at 72.8bn/- with the Prisons Department, the National Service and four liquid petroleum gas (LPG) distributors.

The first contract is a three year deal covering 126 prison facilities with the Prisons administration, set at 35.23bn/- in which the Agency (REA) will provide 26.56bn/-.

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Speaking in Dodoma, Dr. Biteko said the government is doing everything in its power to make the price of clean cooking energy affordable and available to all citizens.

The campaign has also seen the government distributing a total of 400,000 cylinders at a subsidized price.

“It should be noted that this is not only the President’s agenda but it is important for everyone to carry it as their agenda as well and our goal is to ensure that clean cooking energy is available countrywide,” he noted.

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Earlier in May this year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched a ‘National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy’ in apparent attempt to deliberately protect and preserve the precious environment.

The Tanzania leader has committed to transform the nation, from using firewood and charcoal to clean cooking energy, setting a target of converting 80 per cent of the population by 2030.

The President further emphasized the decades-long (2024-2034) strategy will provide national guidance for all stakeholders to ensure the country achieves its 2030 clean cooking energy target.