Uhuru Torch bolsters clean cooking energy campaign in Simiyu

BARIADI: THE National Uhuru Torch Race team has launched a clean cooking energy infrastructure project at Nkololo Secondary School in Bariadi District Council, Simiyu Region, as part of the government’s efforts to eliminate the use of firewood and charcoal in public institutions.

The project aims to ensure that institutions serving more than 100 people daily adopt clean cooking energy, a move expected to promote environmental conservation, improve public health and enhance user safety.

Speaking after inspecting and inaugurating the project, National Uhuru Torch Race Leader Wazo Michael Mwang’onda commended the Rural Energy Agency (REA) for effectively implementing the government’s strategy to promote the use of clean cooking energy.

He said the project will directly benefit the school’s 606 students by reducing reliance on firewood and charcoal while improving cooking conditions.

“This project will significantly reduce the use of traditional firewood and charcoal, thereby improving the health and safety of students, teachers and cooks who use these facilities every day,” Mwang’onda said.

REA Energy Projects Engineer Davidi Malima said the agency has invested 15 million Tanzanian shillings in the project.

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He explained that the funds were used to procure two large LPG-powered cookers, each with a 200-litre capacity, and install a one-tonne liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage tank.

Malima noted that the Nkololo Secondary School project forms part of a nationwide programme targeting 453 institutions, with the government allocating 25.8bn/- Tanzanian shillings for its implementation.

He added that the initiative is being implemented under the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy (2024–2034), which seeks to ensure that 80 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034.

Under the programme, Taifa Gas Limited has been contracted to supply and install LPG systems in public institutions, while Hanny G Investment is responsible for supplying energy-efficient cookstoves and large cooking pots nationwide.