Beneficiaries of funds through the CookFund project, which is under the Integrated Approach to Sustainable Clean Cooking Solution global program implemented by the United Nations Development Fund (UNCDF) in collaboration with the European Union (EU), have been encouraged to direct their investments in the production and distribution of small gas cylinders of three kilograms or less to enable low-income citizens to switch to clean cooking energy more easily.
The Director of Clean Cooking Energy, Ministry of Energy, Mr. Nolasco Mlay, said this while continuing his visit to Mwanza with the aim of inspecting Clean Cooking Energy projects funded by Cookfund which aims to stimulate the development of clean cooking energy in the country.
While in Mwanza, Mr. Mlay visited gas traders who received additional capital through the CookFund project to ensure that citizens are more closely connected to gas services through the empowerment of small and medium-sized businesses in the clean cooking energy sector.
He said that through Cookfund, small businesses are provided with capital and technical assistance to increase the scope of distribution of quality gas stoves and gas cylinders.
Mr. Mlay commended the beneficiaries who sell gas cylinders at subsidized prices for ensuring that citizens receive the service more quickly and easily, while emphasizing the need to also sell one to three kilogram gas cylinders.
“We need to see CookFund beneficiaries investing in technologies that directly affect the lives of citizens. Small cylinders are a solution that enables more people to use gas instead of wood or charcoal”, said Mr. Mlay
In parallel, Mr. Mlay has called on all stakeholders in clean cooking energy to bring smart meter technology to some areas that do not yet have it to simplify the purchase of gas digitally and eliminate the challenges of filling cylinders at high costs or long distances.
“We must ensure that clean cooking energy is available at affordable prices, in a simple way, and with equipment that suits every Tanzanian because through this technology, citizens will be able to buy that energy like they buy electricity through LUKU which will help eliminate the challenges of accessing gas especially when filling cylinders for low-income citizens”, said Mr. Mlay.
He has urged citizens to continue to take steps to change and use clean cooking energy including gas, electricity, alternative charcoal and biogas for better health and a safe environment.
Traders who sell gas cylinders have said that the response from citizens has been great with some citizens being lent cylinders and others coming forward to invest by paying small amounts of money to be able to obtain the gas cylinders to abandon the use of energy that is not friendly to health and the environment.
