REPOSSESS TULLOW OIL LICENCE, DEMANDS CHIEF

CHIEFKabinga of Mpika district has supported plans by government to repossess licence for Tullow Oil, the firm doing explorations in the Northern circuit. Chief Kabinga said the announcement by Minister of Mines Richard Musuwkwa that it was contemplating repossessing the licence for Tullow Oil was a welcome move as it would allow a more serious investor to take up the explorations. Chief Kabinga said it was important that only serious investors were given licences so that the country could start benefitting from the natural resources. “As a traditional leader I would welcome the announcement by minister of Mines that government is contemplating on repossessing licence for Tullow Oil following a dispute by shareholders because obviously this will derail development on the exploration works,” Chief Kabinga said. He said people were in a hurry to start benefitting from abundant natural resources therefore there was need for government to repossess the licence. Chief Kabinga said the disputes by the shareholders had the potential to retard exploration and that government should quickly move in and repossess the license. “These disputes between shareholders have are already delaying progress on the project and our people are looking forward to seeing these exploration concluded so that oil production can commence,” The traditional leader said. He said people were expecting the explorations to be concluded so that jobs could be created for the youths. The traditional leader said conclusion of exploration works would allow for production to start which would result in economic development of the country. Chief Kabinga appealed to the Ministry of Mines to repossess all inactive mining and exploration licenses across the country and give them to serious investors. He said the country had enough natural resources to boost the economy and that there was need for government to look for serious investors. Mines and Mineral Development Minister Richard Musukwa announced that government was considering repossessing licences for Tullow Oil following a dispute between shareholders.