Mtwara’s rural communities benefit from 50pc subsidy on LPG cookers

MTWARA: THE government, through the Rural Energy Agency (REA), has launched a project to distribute 6kg gas cookers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at a 50 per cent subsidised price to rural communities in the Mtwara Region.

A total of 16,275 cookers and associated equipment will be distributed across five districts of Mtwara, Masasi, Nanyumbu, Newala and Tandahimba. Each district will receive 3,255 cookers and residents will pay only 19,500/-, with the government covering the remaining costs.

Speaking during the launch of the project and the introduction of the Taifa gas services, Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Colonel Patrick Sawala, expressed gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for bringing the initiative to the region.

He said that the project will help mitigate health risks, prevent harmful practices, protect water sources, preserve the environment and reduce carbon emissions contributing to climate change.

Col Sawala also called on the public to support President Samia’s efforts by purchasing the subsidised cookers, saying the President cares deeply for her people and the initiative should be embraced to safeguard health and improve the environment.

He urged the Rural Energy Agency (REA) and Taifa Gas, the service provider, to work closely with local leaders to ensure the project is well understood and effectively implemented.

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On his part, REA’s Acting Manager for Technical Support, Engineer Emanuel Yesaya said that the project is part of the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy for 2024-2034.

He said that the government’s goal was to ensure that by 2034, 80 per cent of Tanzanians will be using clean cooking energy, adding that the initiative is intended to improve public health and protect the environment in the fight against climate change.

Eng Yesaya also stressed that the service provider will be responsible for registering residents eligible to receive the subsidised cookers and only individuals with National Identification Authority (NIDA) cards or verifiable numbers will qualify for the subsidy and no individual will be allowed to purchase more than one subsidised cooker.

Some of Mtwara residents who were interviewed expressed gratitude to President Samia for bringing the project to the region and pledged to support it by continuing to raise awareness and educate others to achieve the government’s goals.

In May last year, President Samia launched the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy in Dar es Salaam and called upon the private sector to invest massively in the sector, including technology, to enable every citizen to easily access clean cooking energy.

The Head of State said the launched dossier provides a roadmap as the country targets 80 per cent of the population to use clean cooking energy by 2034.

The President said that apart from lowering costs, the strategy will enhance the country’s efforts in fighting against the effects of climate change.

It is estimated that 469,000 hectres of forests are being destroyed each year for the sake of firewood and charcoal.

November 2023, the African Women Clean Cooking Support Programme (AWCCSP) global clean cooking energy campaign received a massive boost at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The ground-breaking initiative, championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, was launched on the sidelines of the conference and aims to provide clean cooking technologies to women and girls in Africa to reduce the use of wood, charcoal and other traditional forms of biomass.

In Africa, almost 80 per cent of the population uses wood and charcoal for cooking, the leading cause of indoor pollution which has devastating effects on the health of women and children.

President Samia urged fellow African leaders and representatives to accelerate clean cooking solutions in the region and help transition of some 900 million Africans from biomass fuels to more affordable and environmentally friendly options over the next couple of years.