Mera lifts ban on fuel purchase in containers

Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) says its decision to stop purchase of fuel in containers was informed by a growing trend among some consumers to store the commodity in risky manner.

The regulator has since issue a temporary waiver to allow the purchase of up to 20 litres of fuel in safe containers.

Mera said in a statement on Sunday that it had waived the measure to allow consumers who may need fuel for equipment and machinery that cannot be taken to a retail outlet for refueling to make purchases.

Reads the statement in part: “Mera has considered a temporary waiver to allow buying of up to 20 litres of fuel in safe containers, purpose-manufactured jerry cans and drums, without making a declaration to Mera.

“The fuel is expected to be transferred into the intended machinery and, therefore, the containers should not be used as fuel storage facilities.”

Mera consumer affairs and public relations manager Fitina Khonje said the waiver follows rampant illegal fuel storage, which has been in practice for a while.

She said: “In recent months, we have noted an escalation of this malpractice and we need to ensure that there is order in the fuel sector.

“However, we have considered the 20 litres waiver because we are aware that there are various needs and purposes for which a consumer may need to access fuel in safe jerry cans otherwise beyond that, they need an authorisation from us.”

The Liquid Fuels and Gas Regulations of 2009 provides that a person who wishes to store fuel for commercial purposes shall first register with Mera and comply with standards for storage of liquid fuels and gas.

This limitation, according to the regulations, does not apply to the storage of paraffin.

According to Mera, a registration certificate is issued to private generators that comply with the minimum standards upon submission of an application form and payment of applicable fees of K100 per kilovolt-ampere (kVA) with a minimum of K3 000 for generators of capacity range of 20kVA to 30kVA.

Mera has since warned the public and operators of fuel retail and wholesale outlets that those contravening the law will be liable to a fine or risk closure of the fuel retail or wholesale outlet under the Liquid Fuels and Gas (Production and Supply) Act.

The decision by Mera to enforce the law attracted protests from some consumers, including fishers, who argued that they could not take their machinery such as boats to filing stations.