Strategy for production, distribution of cooking gas in offing

DODOMA: The government is currently addressing pending issues in preparation for the development and implementation of a special National Strategy (NS) for the production and distribution of cooking gas services throughout the country.

Deputy Minister for Energy, Judith Kapinga, unveiled the crucial plan during in the National Assembly in Dodoma on Friday.

She explained that the goal of this eagerly-awaited initiative is to ensure that at least 80 per cent of Tanzanians have access to affordable and safe cooking energy by 2033.

Kapinga was responding to a question from Special Seat legislator Jacqueline Msongazi (CCM), who wanted to know what efforts the government was making to subsidize the prices of cooking gas cylinders.

The aim of this subsidy would be to make environmentally friendly cooking energy accessible to the majority of citizens who may not have the financial means to afford it, she said.

In her question, Msongazi pointed out that the national gas energy policy states that the government will establish and implement a range of strategies to encourage the use of gas energy and its associated facilities.

Responding, Kapinga stated that the government is collaborating with various stakeholders to develop and implement effective policies and strategies.

The objective is to raise awareness and empower the public to adopt safe gas systems, with the aim of reducing environmental pollution, among other benefits.

Kapinga also revealed that the government is currently working on the national strategy for the consumption of cooking gas. The vision is to reach at least 80 per cent of the population by 2023.

Also, the government will continue to take measures to eliminate barriers that hinder the widespread use of safe energy among the public. One of the main obstacles is the high cost of obtaining the necessary equipment and facilities for cooking purposes.Ends