BOARD Chairperson for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) ambassador Jacob Kingu has called youth to tap opportunities into loans issued by various institutions to open up filling stations as part of investment into the energy sector.

He said those needing to invest are given up to 70m/- at an interest rate of 5-percent while the criteria being owning land which is recognized legally.

“The loans are issued to an individual who has a 20 by 20 plot to open up a filling station, as part of investment into the energy sector,” he said.

Kingu made the remarks when speaking to journalists when he visited the REA pavilion at the ongoing Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DTIF-2024).

"We have also entered into an agreement with the Tanzania Prison Service to ensure that they stop using dirty energy and instead use gas.

"We encourage all schools, and other institutions to start using clean cooking energy. We will collaborate with development stakeholders in supporting our clean energy efforts,” he said.

In March this year, the government, through REA, initiated a program to facilitate the construction of new low-cost stations for fuel products (petrol and diesel), in rural areas to deal with unsafe ways of acquiring the products.

These effects include the high cost of acquiring these products in rural areas, contrary to the indicative prices and high transportation costs, especially in rural areas.

Also, other effects mentioned by REA are the sale and storage of oil products that are not clean and safe (barrels and plastic containers inside the house); Fire explosions that can cost people's lives.

The move is also aimed at enhancing environmental protection by reducing effects caused by those products being spilled in different areas due to improper storage; depriving the government of the revenues.