North Darfur bakeries to convert to gas to save trees

The authorities of El Fasher locality in North Darfur have begun implementing the central government’s decision to combat the loss of trees by over-cutting and provide alternatives for the use of firewood.

In a joint meeting between the state Ministry of Environment and El Fasher locality, the authorities have listed 60 bakeries in the locality, which will use cooking gas as a substitute for firewood.

Hamza Abbas Khalil, North Darfur Minister of Environment, told reporters in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher on Friday that the project will be financially supported by the El Fasher branch of the Iddikhar Bank. After the pilot project, the rest of the 189 bakeries in the locality and the bakeries in the rest of the state will be targeted.

He announced that his ministerial committee will be making field visits to the 24 bakeries in El Fasher to oversee the production of bread with cooking gas.

The Minister further instructed the Bakers’ Union and the Iddikhar Bank branches in the North Darfur capital “to accelerate the completion of all technical procedures for the funding of the bakeries and the contracting of the gas company”.

He emphasised the importance of “moving forward with the implementation of alternative energy projects to achieve the desired environmental benefits”.