Joseph Isangura
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, has called for increased support to ensure all prisons in Tanzania fully transition to clean cooking energy.
Speaking at the Tanzania Correctional Training Academy (TCTA) in Dar es Salaam, Dr. Biteko emphasized that the government remains committed to eliminating the use of firewood in correctional facilities. He revealed that all 129 prisons in the country have already shifted to clean cooking energy, marking a major step towards the national goal of reducing reliance on biomass fuels.
To further support this transition, Dr. Biteko directed the Rural Energy Agency (REA) to prioritize subsidies for the Prisons Service. “I want REA to ensure that the subsidies planned for various producers of clean cooking equipment give priority to the Prisons Service,” he said.
The initiative is part of Tanzania’s broader strategy to have at least 80% of households using clean energy by 2034. To achieve this, REA has partnered with the Tanzania Prisons Service in a 35.2 billion Tanzanian Shillings project aimed at installing biogas facilities and distributing gas cylinders in 126 prisons across the country. The goal is to ensure that both prison kitchens and staff members have access to sustainable cooking energy.
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This shift comes as Tanzania continues to battle deforestation caused by the heavy reliance on charcoal and firewood. Statistics show that over 90% of Tanzanians use these traditional energy sources for cooking, leading to the destruction of nearly half a million hectares of forest every year. By adopting cleaner alternatives, the government hopes to curb environmental degradation while also improving living conditions within public institutions.
Dr. Biteko’s latest push is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to cleaner, safer, and more sustainable energy solutions. The progress made within the prison system sets a strong example for other public institutions, reinforcing Tanzania’s long-term vision for a greener future.
