Speaker of
the National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson has organized a ‘Tulia Cooking
Festival’ with a view of promoting clean cooking energy and educating the
public on its benefits.
The
festival took place on August 31, 2024, in Mbeya, included cooking competitions
using clean energy sources where 1,000 food vendors participated.
At the
event, the Speaker emphasized the importance of switching to clean cooking
energy, encouraging people to move away from unsafe fuels like firewood and
charcoal to protect their health, preserve the environment, and reduce social
and economic impacts.
Dr. Tulia
praised the vendors for participating and using the festival to promote clean
energy, urging other organizations to host similar events.
“The
purpose of this festival is to increase community awareness about clean cooking
energy. We know this initiative is strongly supported by the President of
Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is a leading advocate of clean
cooking energy in Africa and globally,” said Dr. Tulia.
She also expressed
her gratitude to the sponsors who helped make the festival a success, enabling
clean cooking energy education to reach many people.
Deputy
Minister of Energy, Hon. Judith Kapinga, explained the government’s plan to
ensure that over 80% of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034.
“The
government distributed over 104,000 gas cylinders in 2023 and expects to
provide 450,000 more this year to encourage the use of clean energy,” she noted.
Kapinga
highlighted the various clean cooking options available, such as gas,
electricity, and efficient stoves, which are better alternatives to traditional
fuels.
The
government, according to her, is working hard to make clean energy affordable
and called on gas companies to innovate so that clean energy solutions are
accessible to all Tanzanians.
