SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Dr Tulia Ackson has underscored the need for Tanzanians to continue supporting President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s clean cooking energy initiatives to achieve the set target of ensuring 80 percent of household adopt clean energy solutions by 2034.

She was concerned that President Samia is recognized across Africa as a leader in promoting clean cooking energy which is safe for both health and the environment.

Speaking in Mbeya Region over the weekend at a closing ceremony for the cooking competition that involved 1,000 food vendors, both male and female from all the wards in Mbeya Urban constituency, she said the event was organized to educate residents on the importance of using clean energy.

“Adopting clean energy solutions protect our health as well as the environment,” said Dr Tulia who serves as the legislator for Mbeya Urban constituency.  

She commended various stakeholders including Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited for supporting the President’s initiative by ensuring more people have access to gas cylinders and stoves.

"We are grateful to the energy firm because apart from providing 1,000 gas clinders and stoves to participants of the competition; they have also provided gas cylinders as prizes for winners,” she remarked.

Deputy Minister for Energy Judith Kapinga, said the government is taking a number of initiatives to ensure Tanzanians shift from dirty to clean energy. She called upon gas selling firms to consider lowering prices to encourage many people to use gas for cooking.

“We advise stakeholders in the gas sector to create a system that allows citizens to purchase gas in small quantities daily instead of paying a large sum at once," she said, adding the system would allow many Tanzanians to start using gas, thus reduce environmental degradation.

The Deputy Minister commended Dr Tulia for organizing such a significant competition, saying it served as a model and provided education to the people on the importance of using clean energy.

Benoit Araman Managing Director, Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited said the cooking competition was organized to promote the use of clean energy to protect the environment, which has been damaged due to tree cutting for firewood and charcoal.

"For over 15 years, the availability of cooking energy has been discussed and planned, but now the government, led by President Samia is highly motivated to encourage Tanzanians to adopt clean cooking solutions.

"Oryx Gas believes that cooking with gas will help protect the environment and reduces the time women spent in the forest gathering firewood and charcoal. Cooking with gas also protect women from dangerous wild animals in the forests and from abuse they may encounter while collecting firewood," he added.

He said the company has so far reached over 12,000 food vendors who have been trained on safe gas usage and provided with gas cylinders to facilitate easier and healthier cooking.