12 August 2015, News Wires – Mozambique’s government has reportedly sacked the heads of the state energy companies responsible for overseeing the development of the East African country’s huge offshore gas reserves.
The chairmen of Mozambique’s National Hydrocarbons Company (ENH) and the National Institute of Petroleum (INP) had been removed, according to a Cabinet statement cited by Reuters issued late on Tuesday, without giving a reason.
Nelson Ocuane has been replaced as chairman of the ENH by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Omar Mitha under the high-level reshuffle.
Arsenio Mabote will be replaced at the INP by Carlos Zacarias, who was a member of the state-run company’s board.
The changes come as companies such as US independent Anadarko Petroleum seek to develop multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas projects based on major offshore discoveries.
US supermajor Exxon Mobil, Italy’s Eni and South Africa’s Sasol are among companies that recently submitted bids to explore new blocks for oil and gas in Mozambique.
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