Fuel crisis resurfaces in Mzuzu

Mzuzu City has been experiencing fuel shortages for the past two weeks despite government’s claims that the shortage is history.

The situation has created fears of the return of long queues and motorists’ difficulties in obtaining fuel at the pump, a scenario that gave rise to fuel being found on the parallel market.

The Nation’s spot checks at the weekend in the city found that motorists and vendors have been spending nights on queues in anticipation of the fuel. Black market players have also resurfaced offering petrol at between K900 (about $3.6) and K1 000 (about $4) per litre.

But Minister of Energy and Mines Dr Cassim Chilumpha downplayed the matter in an interview on Monday, saying the country has enough fuel reserves to last for five days.

Chilumpha said he was aware of the problem, adding that it had nothing to do with government. He said that he, too, is trying to establish what is wrong.

“There is no cause for alarm. Government’s position is that we have enough fuel in the country that will take us for the next five days. There is no need for people to panic,” said Chilumpha.

The minister also said the problem was technical; hence, the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) was better placed to give the reason behind the shortage.

Mera spokesperson Edward Mponda said he, too, was not sure of the problem.

He said Mera would check with oil companies on the source of the problem.