RB travels to Malawi for Bingu wa Mtharika's inauguration

President Rupiah Banda is scheduled on May 21 left for Malawi to attend the inauguration of the newly elected President of Malawi Bingu Wa Mutharika. Banda was expected to be among other Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new President in Malawi. The ceremony takes place May 22 in Blantyre.

President Banda was accompanied by Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga, MP. He is expected to return to Zambia shortly after the ceremony. President Banda flew from Livingstone Airport to Blantyre on May 21 after closing the 6th Zambia International Business Advisor Council(ZIBAC) meeting.

RB appoints committee to oversee Pretroleum exploration

President Rupiah Banda May 19 announced the appointment of seven members of the Petroleum Committee, which would be responsible for formulating policies relating to the exploration, development and production of petroleum in Zambia. He has appointed four Cabinet Ministers as members of the Petroleum Committee in line with the provisions of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 2008. Among its functions the committee would also approve the oil and gas exploration, production and award licenses to would-be investors.

Appointed to the Petroleum Committee are Maxwell Mwale, MP, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Chairperson), Kenneth Konga, MP, Minister of Energy and Water Development – (Vice Chairperson), Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, MP, Minister of Finance and National Planning (Member) and Felix Mutati MP, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry (Member).
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Others are Dr. Caleb Fundanga, Governor of the Bank of Zambia (Member), Andrew Kamanga, Energy Consultant (Member) and Guy Phiri, Engen Petroleum Zambia Limited (Member)