VP asks private sector to up drive for clean energy

DODOMA: VICE PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has asked the private sector to support the government on a clean cooking energy access programme.

Dr Mpango paid tribute to Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited for being at the forefront in offering gas cylinders to the communities as part of its efforts to complement the government’s efforts in the clean cooking energy programme.

“I call upon the private sector to play its part in enabling the communities surrounding you both in rural and urban areas to ensure that they get clean cooking facilities,” said the VP at the end of the week here when officiating at the women’s symposium seeking to offer capital and equipment for clean cooking energy.

The government wants at least 80 per cent of cooking in the country to be powered by clean energy sources by 2032. Currently, 90 per cent of the primary energy supply to Tanzanian homes is firewood and charcoal, with serious impacts on health and forests.

About 97 per cent of households are exposed to high levels of smoke from indoor cooking and each year more than 33,000 people die prematurely from air pollution in the home.

The Vice-President underscored the need for the private sector to invest in research and creativity in having clean energy cooking solutions.

He added: “The Private sector can equally partner with private individuals to intensify a massive campaign on clean cooking and I am very happy to see that Oryx Gas Tanzania has been working with Dorris Mollel Foundation in helping women in different parts of the country.’’ Furthermore, Dr Mpango asked Oryx Gas and other stakeholders to continue supporting the government in its clean cooking energy initiatives.

Earlier on, Oryx Gas Tanzania Ltd Managing Director, Benoit Araman said his company had already put in place several clean cooking energy initiatives whereas so far it has already distributed to different women groups a total of 24,000 cooking solutions valued at 2bn/- “For the last 15 years, clean cooking solution access has been discussed and planned, but now it has become the topic of highest importance, under the leadership of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and the government.

He noted that the whole team of Oryx Gas Tanzania was proud to work daily to support a clean cooking access programme for the Tanzanian population.

“As such Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited will continue to work hard to implement Her Excellency Madam President’s vision that 80 per cent of Tanzania get clean energy access by 2032.

“I would like to thank Vice President Dr Mpango and the government again for supporting us in our clean cooking initiatives by ensuring the use of LPG here in Dodoma and Tanzania as a whole,’’ added Mr Araman.

According to him, cooking with LPG was helping people to move from biomass energy such as firewood and charcoal to gas thus transforming the country for a better life for its communities and citizens.

“Available statistics depict that in Tanzania, 33,000 citizens are dying every year from the inhalation of smoke and particles coming from charcoal and firewood, therefore, cooking with Oryx LPG will eradicate this,’’ he said.