Government says it has started the process of looking for a strategic partner to invest in Indeni Petroleum Refinery in Ndola.

Speaking at a meeting at Indeni petroleum yesterday, energy minister David Mabumba said there is need to find a viable partner who will help improve the efficiency of the refinery.

Mr. Mabumba states that Indeni is in need of an investment of $600 million in order to meet its design capacity of 1.1 million tonnes per annum and beyond.

He said Indeni has remained stagnant, producing 650,000 tonnes of fuel against its design capacity of 1.1million tonnes adding that the coming in of a partner would help the plant grow and diversify its operations thereby creating more jobs for the local people.