Panic as petrol pumps dry up

 Panic ensued among motorists, especially in Blantyre and Zomba on Monday, as they queued for petrol at the few service stations that had the commodity in stock.

The situation was reminiscent of the second half of last year when snaking fuel queues were the order of the day until around October when the supply stabilised.

The erratic supply of fuel, most notably petrol, started about a fortnight ago in some parts of the country, including Blantyre, Mangochi, Zomba, Ntcheu and Dedza as most stations did not have stocks.

By the past weekend, the shortage became more pronounced as petrol could only be available at one out of every four service stations in Blantyre while Zomba was completely dry.

While some oil market industry insiders conceded that “petrol availability is hand-to -mouth”, Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL) general manager Martin Msimuko on Monday played down the situation, saying “there is no reason to panic as they [importers]have fuel”.

However, he did not respond to The Nation question on why there was erratic supply if the commodity was available and instead, in a brief WhatsApp response, said the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) was better-placed to explain the fuel situation.

In a separate interview, Mera consumer affairs and public relations manager Fitina Khonje also assured the country of adequate supply.

She said: “At the moment, I can confirm that we have been informed by some oil marketing companies that they will ensure delivery  of petrol supply to the affected areas.”

When queried last week on the security of supply, Khonje said the country’s fuel inflows were not yet at the most optimal level, but there is no cause for alarm.

She indicated that from the daily reports they receive from oil marketing companies, on average over 84 percent of replenishment was done on time.

But oil industry sources  hinted that there was verbal communication for oil marketing companies to prioritise major cities in deliveries, a development that is leaving some rural areas to go for a week without fuel, especially petrol.

Last year, the country faced an adverse fuel shortage due to dwindling foreign exchange reserves, forcing some oil marketing hinted that there was verbal communication for oil marketing companies to prioritise major cities in deliveries, a development that is leaving some rural areas to go for a week without fuel, especially petrol.

Last year, the country faced an adverse fuel shortage due to dwindling foreign exchange reserves, forcing some oil marketing