LUSAKA, Zambia--Energy, Mines and Water Development Minister Chris Yaluma Thursday flagged off five tankers carrying fuel to Malawi as contributions towards the funeral of the late Dr Bingu wa Mutharika.

Malawi High Commissioner to Zambia David Bandawe who witnessed the flagging off, said the burial for the late president is scheduled for April 23 at his farm, Ndata, in the tea-growing district of Thyolo where he came from.
 
“This flagging off being witnessed today is a mere donation towards the funeral arrangements of the deceased president. Yesterday 15 fuel tankers left and would reach Malawi by [Friday] morning,” Mr Yaluma said.
 
The minister said the exercise would take about a week to complete and would involve 50 tankers.
 
He said the Zambian government would take full responsibility of all logistics and payments which would be incurred in the process.
 
“The government is paying US$150 per tonne per kilometre, we have managed to clinch this cheaper source,” Mr. Yaluma said.

Mr Bandawe thanked the Zambian Government for the donation, saying his country was faced with a serious shortage of fuel.
 
He said the donation symbolised the cordial relationship Zambia had with Malawi.