BY LUCKY MKANDAWIRE
The erratic availability of petrol in the country has triggered an unprecedented wave of illegal fuel vending in open public spaces, raising serious safety concerns.
As long queues remain the norm at fuel stations, many young people have found an opportunity in black market fuel sales—making quick profits by selling petrol in risky and unregulated environments.
In Salima, like many other districts, illegal vendors are selling fuel openly in public spaces, including in front of bottle stores and right at the entrances of fuel stations.
On Wednesday night, Nation Online counted over 10 illegal fuel outlets, including mobile vendors, operating along the busy Kamuzu Road. Some set up shop just outside drinking joints, while others operated right in front of closed fuel stations.
The vendors stop any motorist who slows down and offer petrol in 500ml, one-, two-, five- and 20-litre containers—most of them see-through plastic bottles and jerry cans.
Earlier in the day, most petrol stations in Salima had run dry, with illegal fuel dealers openly displaying their stock, even in full view of police officers and other authorities.
Unlike in other areas where black market prices are reportedly as high as K12 000 per litre, vendors in Salima are charging between K5 000 and K5 500—still more than double the official price of K2 530 per litre.
But safety experts are warning of looming disaster.
“Fuel is a regulated product, but surprisingly regulatory bodies, including the police, are allowing this to happen,” said safety expert Brave Nyirenda. “It is an inflammable commodity and there is no way it can be sold like tomato. This is a serious safety hazard because issues of quality and storage have already been compromised.”
The National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) says the ongoing fuel shortages, now in their third week, are due to some suppliers failing to deliver the required volumes, coupled with government’s delay in settling payments.
