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`Massive energy sources investment only way to offset rising fuel prices`
2008-05-17 09:27:54
By Lydia Shekighenda
Tanzanians can offset skyrocketing global fuel prices by utilising effectively alternative sources of energy through massive investments on the same, a government official said yesterday.
``Our country is net importer of fuel, thus we cannot control the price in the global market, but we can offset it by investing in other sources of energy,`` the Director for Environment in the Vice-President`s Office, Erick Mugurusi has said.
He was briefing reporters in Dar es Salaam on the forthcoming World Environment Day (WED).
He said increasing fuel prices affect the country`s efforts geared to protect and conserve the environment, adding that the prices were a major threat to the environment because the rise would mean that many people would now opt for charcoal and firewood.
``The government has been taking various steps, including looking for other sources of energy such as wind, solar and coal, although this initiative has not registered impressive achievements,`` Mugurusi said.
He said if the country would manage to effectively use such alternative sources of energy, it would definitely cut-down the number of trees fell-down for domestic purposes and not feel the brunt of skyrocketing oil prices internationally.
Explaining about the WED, he said the Day was important because it insists on the responsibility of every person to conserve the environment. He said the world theme for this year is ``Kick the Habit: Towards a Low Carbon Economy.``
Mugurusi said that although Tanzania contribute very little in producing carbon, its involvement in international theme would help to push developed countries to find out mechanism for controlling the emission of such gas.
``Most African countries are being affected by the climate change caused by gas emission in developing countries, thus in order to prevent the occurrence of catastrophe like floods and drought we need to seek for assistance,`` he said.
For her part, the Director of Information and Communication for the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC), Anna Maembe, said that environment involves all people thus every person has the responsibility of conserving the environment.
Maembe said the national theme for WED this year is ``Conserve Environment, Control infernos, Plant Trees.``
She said WED was important because it provides opportunity for people to evaluate the importance of environment and sensitise the public to take part in activities for conserving environment.
Maembe however said at the national level, the Day, which is observed on June 5, each year, would be marked in Shinyanga.
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