Gov’t Begins Giving Out 1M Free Gas Cylinders, To Make Gas Usage Mandatory-Min Nankabirwa

By Juma NSUBUGA

Government is planning a piece of legislation that will oblige all Civil Servants to use Gas in their homes as opposed to firewood, this news site reports!

According to Energy and Mineral Development minister Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, this is aimed at supporting the government’s Liquid Petroleum Gas(LPG) program which aims primarilly to save the country’s trees and forests.

“The world is moving and change will change you whether you like it or not. We must use Gas so that we preserve our trees and forests. I will persuade civil servants and entire Ugandans to embrace this project so that we be on the same line with our neighbors-Kenyans” she said at the official launch of distribution of LGP kits at Buggu zone-Busaabala Parish in Makindye Ssaabagabo.

“We will come come up with by-laws to make sure every Civil Servant has Gas cylinders at their homes and pay in installments. It’s going to be a requirement to all Civil Servants” the minister said.

Nankabirwa added that as Uganda awaits it’s Oil in 2025, government will secure a contract to allow the importation of Gas. She said the country will have six refeeling stations especially in the newly created cities

The minister further informed Ugandans that her ministry will give out 1Million LPG starter Kits to Ugandans for free comprising locally manufactured 13kg cylinders with accessories and cook stove. “We know that the upfront payment for starter Kits has been a bottleneck for many families to convert from using biomass to LPG yet it is clean and saves time which is healthier” she noted, adding that government will also increase companies manufacturing Gas cylinders in order to meet demand and supply needs.

Meanwhile, leading oil companies including among others, Stabex International have joined the ministry to commence the distribution of LPG starter Kits aimed at scaling up the usage of cooking Gas in Households.
The Kits will be given freely to deserving households not using LPG but will be required to pay for the Gas . The Kits will be distributed on behalf of the ministry by Vivo Energy Uganda, TotalEnergies and Stabex international limited starting next week on July 12th.