Africa-Press – Tanzania. ARUSHA: MINISTER of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr Selemani Jafo has appealed to all people to rally behind clean energy campaign championed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Dr Jafo argued that the use of firewood and charcoal in the country leads to 46242 hectares being deforested annually.
He made the plea here in Arusha when gracing the handing over of 1500 gas cylinders and stoves donated by the Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited (OGTL) to the residents including entrepreneurs.
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The minister said the company’s donation is going to support President Samia’s efforts in clean energy campaign.
“President Samia is determined; this is why she has come up with clean energy campaign. She does this out of her love as we all know that unclean energy has negative effects to health and environment,” he stated.
He said statistics show that women and girls at large extent spend about 20 hours weekly for searching firewood and charcoal.
“Today, the country is well organised in ensuring that people use clean energy for cooking. Researchers say the use of clean energy for cooking helps normalising blood pressure among expectant mothers,” he said.
The clean energy also helps pregnant women deliver a baby with acceptable weight.
“I am aware that till today the Oryx has so far donated 32,000 gas cylinders worth 2.7bn/- to the members of the public and still it continues with the campaign,” he stated.
Commenting, Arusha Urban MP Mrisho Gambo said in supporting President Samia’s efforts they saw the importance of positively impacting different social groups in clean energy campaign.
Earlier, OGTL’s Managing Director Benoit Araman used the opportunity to speak about effects of using charcoal and firewood, saying 33,000 Tanzanians die annually over inhaling smokes.
One of beneficiaries, Ms Asha Mtumwa thanked the Oryx company for donating the cylinders and stoves which would help them get rid of effects of using charcoal and firewood.
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