African voices for climate change and conservation

Tough times call for tough measures. The high cost of cooking gas and the menace brought about by fire wood on local households, is bringing about new inventions in the bamenda metropolis. Few years ago charcoal and saw dust cook stoves were considered cheap and affordable energy sources in the city but the latest invention of One Beri Eugene Kinga is making good headlines in many families.

Eugene a mechanical engineer and graduate from the Higher Technical Teacher Training collage Douala has invented an improved fire side that takes very limited firewood and a small chimney that links smoke to the outer space. This idea which according to the author safes energy , the environment and fuel scarcity came into force in 2016 as a result of the tough times families were facing as cooking food. 

“So I decided to help in my own small way” Eugene said. This improve fire side which could be more than one on its platform are made of cement, sand, gravel and salt. “The salt reduces the thermal reaction in the concrete” He added,admitting that his technology can last for 30 years. Eugene also hopes to improve on the weaknesses of this idea in due course and to regularly motivate hisclients in the fine use of the firesides.

Mr Wainache Lawrence is a beneficiary ofthese new firesides who admits that Eugene’s technology is worth a try. “Economically you can cook three meals at once with limited fire wood in a very clean environment,” 

Lawrence remarked. Apart from avoiding the stress of smoke and the black soot, the whole set up makes cooking very enjoyable and faster.

The cost of the construction equipment and the raw materials are some of the drawbacks that Eugene and his clients face with this invention. 

A single improved fire side sales at 20.000fcfa and a double or more sides trades at 50.000fcfa and above. More than 20 households in Bamenda are into these improved firesides already.