Gwembe oil search still on-going – State

By JOHN KOMBE GOVERNMENT through ZCCM-IH is still investigating the presence of oil in Gwembe Valley, says Gwembe District Commissioner Timothy Siakaziba. In an interview, Mr Siakaziba admitted that the investigations had taken long, but noted that the experts were still doing their work to ascertain the presence and quality of the oil. He said that experts from ZCCM-IH visited the area in August last year and took samples for further analysis. He said that geologists took samples from identified sites for further investigations. Chief Sinazongwe of the Gwembe Valley earlier claimed that ZCCM-IH was not doing enough to investigate the discovery of oil in the region. Mr Siakaziba however said Government was carrying out studies on the matter and findings would be made known to the public once the process was complete. He also revealed that the area also had coal and a mining company, Africa Power Coal Limited was already issued with a licence. Mr Siakaziba said that the company had not yet mobilised. Government, he said, was committed to ensuring that it identified mineral rich areas so as to help improve the economy. Mr Siakaziba noted that such undertakings should be done in a systematic way that would not lead to loss of investment. And ZCCM-IH, public relations officer, Louisa Kakoma, confirmed that the company was still investigating the samples and would avail the findings once the process was complete.