In an apparent desperate bid to stabilise fuel availability amid drastically low stocks, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) has ordered retailers to ration fuel when selling to consumers to ensure fair access nationwide.
Mera chief executive officer Henry Kachaje, in a letter to service providers dated October 30 2024, said each consumer will be limited in the fuel they purchase per visit.
Reads the letter in part: “Mera will direct deliveries to specific filling stations. We urge your full compliance to prevent hoarding, black-market sales and overcharging by attendants.
“Please ensure that all station personnel understand the rationing protocols, including the prohibition of fuel sales in jerrycans. Mera inspectors will visit stations to monitor adherence and provide assistance where needed.”
But Kachaje did not respond to calls from The Nation to clarify on the quantities per individual or if the decision was influenced by news that opposition parties in neighbouring Mozambique will hold weeklong electoral protests which may worsen the availability of fuel in Malawi as Mozambique handles 60 percent of fuel imports.
On the other hand, National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) Limited spokesperson Raymond Likambale feigned ignorance of the situation in Mozambique, saying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was better-placed to comment on the matter.
However, he said the State-owned fuel importer was expecting a combined 3.25 million litres of diesel and petrol by close of business today.
Said Likambale: “We are expecting 2 358 500 litres petrol and 900 000 litres diesel, all from Tanzania, expected to arrive in the country tomorrow [Thursday] late afternoon. We have intensified importation of fuel and more volumes are coming. Strategies include expediting the process of clearance of trucks.
“Nocma is just one of the licensees. Mera has a consolidated figure from all licensees and would be best positioned to paint a national picture. As Nocma, we are working hard to deliver on our mandate.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles NKhalamba had not responded to The Nation queries on the potential implications of the emerging situation in Mozambique by press time at 9pm.
However, Puma Energy Zambia, in a communication signed by its transport manager Lisitu Akakulubelwa, yesterday advised transporters to have all trucks parked by close of business yesterday.
Meanwhile, Malawian Building Contractors and Allied Trade Associations vice-president Kondwani Kadango said any further disturbance on the Mozambique end will have ripple effects on various projects in the country.
He said: “If the situation in Mozambique persists, most projects will stop and this will have a huge bearing on costs. Construction projects go by a plan, and this erratic and unknown fuel supply makes it difficult to plan.
“Contracts run on time. Right now, instead of being on site, we are busy looking for fuel. One has to look for fuel at whatever cost to complete the tasks, in that event, you can’t tell the client that you didn’t have fuel so you bought it on the black market.”
Kadango said many contractors halt work for some time, while they get to the black market to look for fuel, which he said was expensive.
“Diesel on the black market is now selling at K18 000 per five litres, and it’s a huge cost because you want to continue working to maintain good relations with your client, or you don’t have the energy to go into fights.”
A National Stocks Fuel Report for October compiled by Mera showed that the crisis had been brewing since October 1 2024, when the country had 4.9 days stock of petrol and 15 days stock of diesel. By Tuesday this week, the stock levels stood at an equivalent on two days for petrol and less than half a day for diesel.
Malawi consumes one million litres each of petrol and diesel daily.
