- Food vendors are among the residents of Arusha, Tanzania, who have shifted from dirty to clean energy for cooking.
- Jafo commended Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited for providing gas cylinders and stoves, saying the company is committed to supporting the transition.
Food vendors are among the residents of Arusha, Tanzania, who have shifted from dirty to clean energy for cooking after receiving 1500 gas cylinders and stoves.
Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment) Selemani Jafo, during the handover ceremony, said the move supports President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts to encourage clean energy use.
He said the President initiated a campaign to encourage the use of clean energy in Africa, hence the need to support her endeavours. He said using firewood and charcoal in the country destroys 46,242 hectares of forest yearly.
“The President has a good intention of protecting the health of Tanzanians and the environment. The clean cooking energy campaign will save the lives of many women and girls who use dirty energy,” said the minister, adding that statistics show that women and girls spend an average of 20 hours per week looking for firewood and charcoal.
Jafo commended Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited for providing gas cylinders and stoves, saying the company supports the transition from dirty to clean energy. The energy firm has donated 32,000 gas cylinders worth 2.7bn/- to various groups countrywide.
He said, “According to researchers, using clean energy for cooking helps maintain blood pressure for pregnant women and expectant mothers who use clean energy are likely to give birth to a child with an acceptable weight.”
Arusha Member of Parliament Mrisho Gambo added that his office had also distributed 1400 gas cylinders to food vendors within the city. He notes that Oryx’s support was crucial in achieving the target of ensuring city residents stopped using charcoal and firewood.