Samia pushes for LPG access

TANGA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has assured Tanzanians that the private sector is committed to expanding access to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in rural areas to ensure the continued use of government-subsidised gas cylinders.

Speaking at CCM Jitegemee Grounds in Muheza District, Tanga Region, on the fifth day of her weeklong working visit, President Samia acknowledged the challenge of insufficient LPG distribution networks in rural areas.

She revealed that the government, in collaboration with the private sector through NMB Bank, has provided a 100bn/- loan facility to gas distributors to establish refilling points in villages, making gas more accessible.

“We urge beneficiaries of these gas cylinders in Tanga and across the country to use them. Let’s embrace this culture because the world is moving in that direction and we cannot be left behind,” she said.

President Samia reiterated the government’s commitment to formulating favourable policies that encourage private sector participation in providing affordable clean cooking energy.

“We have been offering subsidies to gas processing projects for a long time. Under the clean cooking energy strategy, we continue to subsidise gas cylinders, with the government covering 50 per cent of the cost while buyers contribute the remaining 50 per cent. In urban areas, particularly Dar es Salaam, the subsidy is 20 per cent,” President Samia said.

She further said that, as the government expands electricity access to rural areas, the electricity should be used for more than just lighting and phone charging, hence the push for clean cooking energy.

President Samia highlighted the detrimental effects of firewood use, particularly on women and children, who often walk long distances to collect it, exposing them to dangers such as Gender Based Violence (GBV), toxic fumes and early pregnancies.

She said that prolonged use of firewood has caused vision problems and respiratory diseases among older women.

“The smoke from firewood and charcoal contributes to respiratory illnesses. By transitioning to clean cooking energy, we are eliminating these health hazards,” she said.

Currently, less than 10 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy, conversely, President Samia expressed confidence that the country is on track to achieve its target of 80 per cent adoption by 2034.

“If we continue relying on firewood, we are heading toward severe deforestation, which will lead to drought, water shortages and food insecurity. We must preserve our forests to mitigate these impacts,” she said.

READ MORE: Govt launches subsidised LPG cookers in Katavi

Deputy Minister for Energy, Judith Kapinga, announced that the government has launched a programme to distribute 452,445 subsidised gas cylinders to households across the country.

She said the initiative aims to reduce environmental destruction and address social, health and economic challenges. Ms Kapinga further said that each district has been allocated 3,255 cylinders, priced at 16,000/- each.

In the first phase, 99,000 cylinders have been distributed across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Rural Energy Agency (REA) Acting Director General, Engineer Advera Mwijage, said that Tanga Region is implementing four electrification projects worth 137.87bn/-.

The projects aim to supply power to villages, towns, health centres, water pumps, mining areas and small industries.

“Tanga Region now has 100 per cent electricity coverage in all 763 villages. Additionally, 2,382 out of 4,531 sub-villages (52.6 per cent) have been connected. The remaining 853 hamlets will be electrified within five years,” Eng Mwijage said.

Tanga Regional Commissioner, Dr Batilda Buriani, commended Muheza District for its agricultural contributions, particularly in citrus, cocoa and cashew farming.

She announced plans to establish a factory to process orange products, ensuring farmers benefit from value addition rather than selling raw produce.

Dr Buriani also highlighted climate change challenges affecting the orange sector, including excessive rainfall in 2024 and 2025, which has led to flower drop and reduced yields.

Additionally, Dr Buriani revealed that Tanga Region is working with the Zanzibar government to secure better markets for Muheza spice farmers.

Muheza Member of Parliament, Hamis Mwinjuma, urged the government to establish a national orange market in the district, saying that Muheza is the country’s largest orange producer.

“There are significant challenges in orange trading here. Middlemen buy from farmers without a structured system, leading to price instability. A national market would stabilise prices and ensure farmers get fair earnings,” he said.

Earlier, President Samia visited several pavilions that exhibited various technologies related to clean energy use. Oryx Gas Clean Energy Project Manager Peter Ndomba said the company has actively participated in making the clean cooking campaign a success.

He noted that Oryx Gas has been a key stakeholder and has made significant efforts since it was officially recognised as a national priority for citizens to start using clean cooking energy.

Earlier, the Head of State laid a foundation stone for the expansion of Maweni Limestone Limited factory, urging the Tanga City Council to cooperate well with investors to accelerate development in the country.

“Cooperation and good relations with investors will ensure they pay taxes and local government fees properly,” she said.

She also urged the residents of Tanga to use the cement from the factory to improve their homes and build modern houses, which will enhance the status of the region.

Moreover, during a public rally at Mkinga Bus Stand, President Samia expressed satisfaction with the construction of the water project.

The Head of State laid a foundation stone for the project at Horohoro-Mkinga.

The project has reached 43 per cent of implementation. The Horohoro-Mkinga water project is set to benefit approximately 57,000 residents across 37 villages in Tanga Urban, Mkinga and Horohoro.