Minister Sanyang proposes ECOWAS to promote the use of cooking gas

                                         Minister of Petroleum and Energy, The Gambia

Fafa Sanyang, the minster of Petroleum and Energy during today’s Africa ministerial round-table virtual meeting jointly hosted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy of Senegal on the Impact of Covid-19 on Africa's Energy Sector, proposed the ECOWAS member states to promote the use of cooking gas in order to eradicate the use of fuel wood and charcoals.

Minister Sanyang explained that the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the petroleum sector in The Gambia in various ways, saying for precautionary measures, the government gave directive for all the commercial vehicles to reduce the number of their passengers to 30%.

He added that as a result in the restriction on the movement of vehicles during the lock-down, the demand of fuel has reduced and due to petrol downturn, the government has reduce the pump prices of petrol by 25%, diesel by 23% and kerosene by 44%.

In The Gambia, he said petroleum contributes significantly to the revenue and the prompt in the demand and the reduction of the pump prices, has directly affected the revenue base of government in 2020.

For the oxen, he reiterated that Gambia is not a producing country but they are very much advance and optimistic in projects. He said the Covid-19 has created uncertainly and delay in the petroleum activities because their partners have to postponed their activities till 2021.

“Whilst the outcome of the pandemic look gloomy and the future is uncertain for all sectors particularly the petroleum and energy sector, we use this opportunity for African countries to think of how to diverse fight the economy to reduce the pendent of oil. We have to think particularly when it comes to power generation, increasing energy trade among ourselves, regional integration, and up scaling investment renewable energy.”

He applauded the regional integration efforts, while adding the at this moment of low oil and gas price, the ECOWAS member states can promote the use of cooking gas in order to eradicate the use of fuel wood. In The Gambia almost 80% of our domestic energy are coming from fuel wood and charcoal.

“Low oil price can lead to the falling of service fees due to low demand. We are trying taking the opportunity of that to see how best we can intensify to extend our activities. We are working with the African legal support facility to help in reviewing our legislature and regulations.”