By Our Correspondent - Songea
The District Commissioner of Songea, Wilman Kapenjama Ndile, has called on residents and investors to shift away from traditional fuels and embrace clean cooking energy solutions, in a move he says is vital for protecting public health and the environment.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ seminar in Songea town on Tuesday, Mr Ndile highlighted the government’s commitment to achieving the national target of 80 percent clean cooking energy access by 2034.
The seminar brought together major and small-scale gas distributors, business officers, divisional officers, and local leaders.
“The transformation we’re witnessing is significant,” said Mr Ndile. “Not long ago, the Songea prison consumed 40 tonnes of firewood daily. Today, we use just one tonne of coal dust, thanks to the national clean cooking strategy spearheaded by Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan. This shift is not only saving forests but also improving our air quality and safeguarding our health.”
Mr Ndile urged business stakeholders to invest in the construction of fuel stations and the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), particularly in underserved areas of the Ruvuma Region. He noted that the region currently has only three major LPG suppliers, leading to limited availability and high demand.
Also speaking at the event, Engineer Karim Ally, Zonal Manager for the Southern Highlands at the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), said the seminar aimed to raise awareness among stakeholders about licensing procedures and construction requirements for fuel and gas distribution facilities, especially in rural areas.
“Our inspections have revealed an increase in unregulated fuel sales in peripheral zones and a critical shortage of LPG distribution centres,” he said. “Addressing these gaps is essential for expanding safe and sustainable energy access.”
Tanzania’s clean cooking energy strategy is part of wider efforts to transition the country toward sustainable development and improved living standards, particularly in rural communities where traditional biomass remains the dominant source of fuel.