TANZANIANS have been reminded to continue protecting the environment by using clean cooking energy that is environmentally friendly.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Environment Day on Thursday, an event which went together with environment cleaning at Kisiwani Primary School in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, Peter Ndomba, clean cooking energy project manager at Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited emphasised the need to protect the environment by avoiding tree cutting for firewood and charcoal.

The World Environment Day is commemorated June 5th each year. This year’s theme was ‘ending global plastic’. “The world commemorated the day to promote better environmental care; but we are focusing on forests and trees. Through our gas product, we advise all Tanzanians to stop cutting down trees,” he said, adding the company also donated waste disposal equipment to the school.

“The government is taking a number of initiatives to promote the use of clean cooking energy, and one of the goals is to ensure our environment remains safe. Tanzania is somewhat fortunate to still have forests, unlike other countries.”

Ndomba added: “We chose to come to Kisiwani Primary School because these are young children who are learning every day. We cleaned the school with them and taught them about clean energy use. Although they cannot afford to buy gas themselves, they live with their parents at home.”

He said the company believes that the knowledge shared with the pupils on safe gas usage will reach their parents, adding that they have also emphasised the importance of protecting the environment and planting trees.

“The weather is changing — it keeps raining, and yet we are already in June. This is due to climate change, which is affecting many countries around the world. Tanzanians have the responsibility to continue protecting the environment and engaging the younger generation,” he remarked.

Ndomba added: “We’ve provided this education early on, knowing that when children receive it early, it helps foster a society that understands the importance of environmental conservation. We collaborate with other stakeholders to encourage Tanzanians to adopt clean energy, thus protect the environment.”

He explained that protecting the environment includes adopting alternative means like using clean cooking energy. He said by so doing, Tanzanians will reduce environmental destruction. 

Kisiwani Primary School head teacher, Abbas Degelo, commended the company for joining the school in cleaning its surroundings and for donating waste storage equipment.

“I sincerely thank the company for involving us in the school environment clean-up, which has helped improve the school’s cleanliness. I also urge the community to use clean cooking energy that is environmentally friendly. The cost of gas is lower compared to firewood and charcoal,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of pupils, Abigael Baraka expressed gratitude for the education they received on the safe use of gas and benefits of using clean energy. “We will become clean energy ambassadors by spreading the knowledge we have acquired to our parents back home,” said Baraka.