Tanzanians have been urged to adopt clean cooking energy as part of efforts to curb environmental degradation and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The call was made in Rukwa on Monday by Mr. Florian Haule, representing the Chairman of the Rural Energy Board (REB), during the handover of 15-kilogram gas cylinders and double-burner stoves to officers of the Tanzania Prisons Service.
The distribution exercise is being implemented by the government through the Rural Energy Agency (REA).
Mr. Haule, who was accompanied by board member Mr. Stephen Mwakifwamba, said prison officers and wardens must also serve as community ambassadors for clean cooking solutions.
“In the past, prisons were among the biggest drivers of deforestation by depending heavily on firewood and charcoal to prepare food for inmates. This led to significant loss of natural forests. But today, all prisons in the country are using clean cooking energy,” he said.
According to him, the shift is expected to safeguard the environment, ease economic pressures linked to climate change, and reduce health risks associated with smoke from traditional fuels.
“I urge you to continue championing clean cooking energy so that we can protect our environment for future generations,” he added.
Rukwa Regional Prisons Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Prisons Vendeline Tesha, thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for financing the initiative, which has enabled all prisons in the region to transition to clean energy systems.
He said the supply of gas stoves to prison staff would not only improve welfare but also boost morale among officers.
REA’s representative, Engineer Emmanuel Yesaya, said the agency remains committed to implementing projects that support the national clean energy agenda.
He noted that the government’s strategy seeks to ensure that by 2034, 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy.
Earlier, project officer Engineer Francis Manyama reported that 297 gas cylinders and stoves are being distributed to prison staff in Rukwa.
In September 2024, REA signed a Sh35 billion agreement with the Tanzania Prisons Service to subsidize the use of clean cooking energy across all mainland prisons.
The project is one of several initiatives being rolled out under the government’s broader energy transition and climate response plan.