Tanzania: Zanzibar Free to Develop Its Oil, Gas Industry, Says Minister

Posted on : Thursday, 24th September 2015

The Minister for Natural Resources, Mr Ramadhan Abdalla Shaaban, has said that Zanzibar is free to develop its oil and gas industry after the Union Parliament endorsed 'Petroleum Act 2015' last year.

"I am the Minister responsible for oil and gas. If one wants to get proper information then it's from me..." Mr Shaaban said in Pemba Island, while responding to claims that Zanzibar has no legal powers to utilise its natural resources, which have been under Union matters since the formation of the Union.

The Civic United Front (CUF) 2015 elections - Zanzibar presidential aspirant Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad has repeatedly promised during the ongoing campaign that if elected, he will develop the oil and gas industry fast, by having policy and law in place just within 100 days in office.

Addressing hundreds of supporters during a Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) campaign rally held in Micheweni area, Minister Shaaban said the policy was ready, and that the process of developing oil and gas sector is on track.