. Yaluma

By JAMES KUNDA
 –

ZAMBIA has opened talks with Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
over prospects of the two Asian countries supplying fuel to Zambia on
government-to-government agreements.



Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said
that on the sidelines of the Ministerial Conference on Petroleum and Oil held in Moscow, Russia recently, he met with his counterparts from Oman and the UAE to discuss the oil deal.


Mr Yaluma said in an interview yesterday that the discussions fared well with the two oil-rich Middle-East nations showing interest to pursue the venture.



“Oman and the UAE are willing to further discuss the prospect of supplying fuel to Zambia via government-to-government agreements and a deal could be reached as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Yaluma said the strategy behind Government’s approach of Oman and
UAE, was to procure fuel at much lower prices for it to be affordable for ordinary consumers on retail basis.



Meanwhile, Mr Yaluma says Zambia will soon register with the International Gas Union (IGU) which provides countries with expert awareness on oil and gas explorations.



He said while in Russia, Mr Yaluma informed the IGU that Zambia had engaged nine reputable firms to prospect for oil and gas in selected lubricant blocs across the country.



“The IGU has asked us to sign up with them so that they can as well
offer expert information to those companies engaged in prospecting for
oil and gas,” he said.



Mr Yaluma said Sudan, which recently concluded a successful prospection for oil and gas has also offered to help Zambia with information about the exercise.