BUJUMBURA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza Wednesday launched the 8th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE) in Burundian capital Bujumbura, calling for a regional synergy to boost research on oil resources in the region.
"We call for a regional synergy within the East African Community (EAC) states to accelerate research on gas and oil resources existing in the region. The exploitation of those resources will boost economic and political independence in our region," Nkurunziza said while launching the three-day rotating conference in the EAC member states.
He said peace, consolidation, stability and security in the EAC region and in Africa are conditions for the creation of a favorable environment for the exploitation of natural resources.
Burundian Energy and Mining Minister Come Manirakiza said the conference aims to promote and demonstrate the regional potential in terms of exploration, infrastructure development, investments and production in the oil and gas sector.
"Research has demonstrated that EAC countries have oil and gas resources that should be exploited for the interest of East African citizens," Manirakiza said.
The minister said research has revealed that Tanzania has oil and gas, Rwanda has methane and Uganda has oil.
"This is an opportunity given to Burundi to discuss with regional partners on accelerating research on oil resources existing in Lake Tanganyika basin," Manirakiza said.
Six countries including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda are members of the East African Community (EAC) bloc.
