Tanzania's Energy Minister Resigns
Tanzania's Energy and Minerals Minister Sospeter Muhongo resigned on Saturday amid a graft scandal that has rocked the gas-rich country and led Western donors to delay aid, though he called himself "incorruptible" and denied wrongdoing. He becomes the third cabinet member, along with the attorney general and the minister for land, to lose his job over the scandal, involving the transfer of at least $122 million. "I have decided to resign to bring a conclusion to this never ending debate so the nation can focus on other important issues for national development," Muhongo told a news conference. "I did not do anything wrong and I did not steal any money. My record speaks for itself, I am incorruptible." (Reporting by Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala; Editing by Edith Honan and Toby Chopra)
Tanzania Talks with Total, BP on Hydrocarbon Exploration
Tanzania has held talks with France's Total and Britain's BP over oil and gas exploration, its energy ministry said on Saturday, aiming to add to major companies active in its thriving energy sector. Companies already present in the east African state include Norway's Statoil, Brazil's Petrobras, Royal Dutch Shell , BG Group and Exxon Mobil.. Total executives were in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam this week with Energy and Minerals Minister Sospeter Muhongo, the ministry said. "Total has expressed interest to explore for gas and oil in the Lake Eyasi (open acreage area)," Muhongo said in a statement. "We welcome competition and we would like many companies to participate in this sector," he added.
