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MPs blame govt for reluctance to invest in biogas technology
2007-07-26 09:55:45
By Judica Tarimo, Dodoma
Members of Parliament have blamed the government for its reluctance to develop alternative energy projects, like biogas technology, for massive power production, leaving the task to the non-governmental organizations.
In a supplementary question, Saidi Mkumba (Sikonge, CCM), criticised the government for abandoning its core-task of facilitating development of biogas-for-electricity projects to the NGOs and religious institutions.
“Why can`t the government spend part of 10bn/- allocated for the development of alternative energy projects, to biogas-for-electricity in order to speed up rural-electrification programme?” queried the legislator.
The MP`s reaction was prompted by the official response of the Deputy Energy and Minerals Minister, William Ngeleje who had said that the government was coordinating biogas technology development projects implemented by various institutions in the country.
According to the minister, the projects are implemented by Agriculture
and Technology Centre (CAMARTEC) of Arusha, Biogas Project in Dodoma (MIGESADO) and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT), and other NGOs.
Responding to the MP’s concern, the minister refuted reports that the government had neglected its core-task to develop alternative energy sources such as biogas technology.
“It’s the government duty and responsibility to ensure people have access to alternative energy including biogas. But we cannot do it alone, and that’s why we are collaborating with other stakeholders to attain desired objectives,” said Ngeleje.
Under such collaborative initiatives, according to the minister, about 6000 ‘digesters’ of biogas energy have been set up so far, placing Tanzania at the top of other regional partners Kenya and Uganda, in biogas technology for domestic consumption.
Christant Nzindakaya (Kwera, CCM), asked the government to invest heavily in biogas projects for massive power production.
The minister however, replied that biogas technology will continue to be confined to domestic consumption, and development of the technology for massive power production was next to impossible.
``Biogas-for-electricity requires huge amount of raw materials, which, at the moment, are not available.
That is why the government encourages people to use alternative energy (biogas) for domestic consumption such as cooking etc,`` said Ngeleje.
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