BUJUMBURA August 22nd (ABP) – The President of the Republic, Evariste Ndayishimiye, paid a visit on Monday August 21, 2023 to the National Peat Authority (ONATOUR) located in the industrial quarter of the urban commune of Ntahangwa in the city of Bujumbura, to inquire about the situation of the production of peat-based fuel briquettes.
President Ndayishimiye praised the work of ONATOUR and also asked them to quickly carry out a quantitative study of the coal consumed daily in Burundi, to see how to increase the peat production machines in order to alleviate the problems related to deforestation.
According to the Director General of ONATOUR, Isidore Mbayahaga, that Authority is following in the footsteps of the Government in the fight against deforestation, which is particularly evident in the production of charcoal.
While Burundi has many mineral resources, he continued to say, it has been found that peat can produce combustible briquettes that can replace charcoal.
By way of illustration, Mr. Mbayahaga reassured that 10 tons of combustible briquettes made from peat can replace 80 hectares of trees. He took the opportunity to inform the people that the price of the kilo (kg) of peat will be sold cheaper compared to the price of charcoal.
Recall that the first production of combustible briquettes based on peat is expected in September, specified the general manager of ONATOUR.