COMPANIES dealing with energy have pushed for more use of clean energy, citing economic, health and environmental benefits.
The companies, from East African countries, made the statement in Dar es Salaam, on Wednesday, this week, at the ongoing regional forum on energy.
The Chairperson of the Union of Energy Companies in Tanzania, Mr Araman Benoite, who doubles as Oryx Energies Tanzania Managing Director, said: “Let’s use investment opportunities in the energy sector so that we reach many citizens who are not yet using clean cooking energy. Let us also use this opportunity for investing to strengthen the economy.”
Mr Benoite said there was still a huge market for cooking gas because the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan is well organised to motivate consumption of the cooking energy.
Speaking about the importance of the forum, said it was part of encouraging the use of clean energy for cooking, something which has several benefits.
According to him, some of the benefits are helping to address environmental pollution, and supporting efforts to empower citizens economically because with clean energy they spend shorter time cooking.
He was optimistic that such a forum was a good move in supporting the government’s efforts to open up investment opportunities in the energy sector.
The forum has been attended by various stakeholders from different countries, including those of East Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
It also involved multinational gas companies.
Earlier, when reading an opening speech on behalf of Eng Felchesmi Mramba, Energy Permanent Secretary, Ms Catherine Ho, who is director of the global union of energy companies, said the forum was important in increasing understanding and investment in the energy sector, especially the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country.
She said over 800 participants have attended the forum.
