Safe cooking gas should be promoted countrywide

Editor, RE: “REMA calls on public to opt for cooking gas” (The New Times, February 14). I agree the author of this article. I also think that REMA (Rwanda Environment Management Authority) should embark on a countrywide campaign to encourage all citizens to switch to gas fuel for cooking to stop deforestation. However, the programme to succeed, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) supplier will need to also introduce small size cylinders that low-income people, both in cities and rural areas, can afford. Secondly, REMA or other concerned parties should avoid falling prey to deceitful marketing and make Rwandans believe that those new LPG cylinders cannot explode. Although LPG is generally considered safe, it does occasionally explode and the result can be catastrophic. Even though Safe Gas distributor is claiming that those new cylinders cannot explode, he should know that most explosions occur through the connecting valves and not through the cylinder walls. I was also told that LPG is typically several times more expensive than natural gas such as propane and butane. Thirdly, in developed countries, all handlers of LPG, especially those at distribution centers such as filling stations, have to undergo some form of training and get certified before they are allowed to operate. Therefore, it is high time REMA also starts formulating safety programs, including training and certification of all LPG handlers. We should always be prepared rather than learning from accidents. Seth

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Safe cooking gas should be promoted countrywide