Zambia and Iran to conduct feasibility study on new oil pipeline

Minister of Energy and Water Development George Mpombo, has said a new oil pipeline to connect Ndola and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo is in the offing.
Mr Mpombo said Iran had offered to provide technical assistance and experts from that country would be arriving in Zambia next month to conduct feasibility studies. He said the proposed new pipeline would facilitate the growing demand of petroleum products in DR Congo.

He allayed fears of fuel shortages because of exports to neighbouring countries as the supply of oil feedstock from the Gulf was steady. He also said fuel exports to neighbouring Zimbabwe and the DR Congo had continued and about $ 5 mm had been raised, 5 mm litres had since been exported to Kinshasa alone.
Meanwhile, the minister has said the Iranian government has also expressed interest in helping repair the Tazama Oil pipeline. He also said Tazama pipelines managing director, Largeman Muzelenga, had since travelled to Italy to hold more talks with Italian government officials who have as well shown a willingness to help finance the $ 30 mm needed to boost the company's operations.