By Burnett Munthali

In Liwonde, residents are experiencing severe fuel shortages, with long queues forming at petrol stations as people scramble to buy fuel for their vehicles. The scarcity of fuel has led to widespread frustration, as motorists are forced to wait for hours in line, hoping to secure enough fuel to keep their vehicles running.

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One of the frustrated customers, Chikondi Idrisa, expressed his concerns and called on fuel companies to raise prices rather than allow the commodity to become scarce. “It would be better if the prices were adjusted upwards so that the fuel is readily available, instead of us waiting in these long lines with no guarantee that we will get any,” Idrisa said.

The fuel shortage has had a ripple effect on various sectors, with business operators who rely on vehicles being the hardest hit. Many have been forced to hike their transportation fares in response to the crisis. For example, some transporters operating the route between Balaka and Liwonde have increased their fares from K2000 to K2500 due to the rising costs associated with fuel scarcity.

This situation is causing widespread inconvenience to residents and travelers alike, as transportation costs continue to rise in response to the fluctuating fuel supply. As of now, there is no clear indication of when the situation will normalize, leaving many in Liwonde and surrounding areas struggling to cope with the impact of the fuel shortage.

The government and fuel suppliers are being urged to address the crisis quickly to prevent further disruptions to businesses and daily life in the region.