Disgruntled motorists are desperate and hopeless in pump stations but still relentlessly queue fighting optimism that someday the scarce fuel will be available in some parts of the country especially Blantyre. And passengers are digging deeper into their pockets for minibus fares that have obscenely gone high.
Amid such despair and pain, government admits the prevailing situation is beyond its control. Information Minister, Moses Kunkuyu claims the problem is due to supply chain issues.
“Government regrets inconveniences caused to the public and is deploying measures to prevent unscrupulous people from exploiting the public,” said Kunkuyu.
He said in an interview with Our News Platform Mw that a delegation from Ministry of Energy, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority, Reserve Bank and National Oil Company of Malawi is on the ground to look into the issue.
Some days ago, MERA faulted the Mothers Day holiday for hampering fuel delivery logistics; saying this had added salt to the fresh wound.
“Despite these challenges, stock replacements will gradually be scaled and more deliveries are expected tomorrow {October 22nd) onwards. Therefore, the situation is expected to normalize within a few days.”
Earlier, the energy regulator had attributed the fuel crisis to challenges importers faced at the loading ports in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Beira, Mozambique.
Meanwhile, the fuel situation has given birth to proliferation of illegal but lucrative business as some unscrupulous traders are cashing in on the crisis through exorbitant charges of the commodity at the black market.
The torturous fuel queues have resurfaced despite authorities’ assurance late last year that these would be history in 2023.
In a separate interview, Human Rights Defendance Coalition (HRDC) said it is deeply troubled by President Lazarus Chakwera’s conspicuous silence on the crisis.
Its Chairperson Gift Trapence claimed Chakwera lacks leadership as he is failing to provide explanations and re-assurance that the government is working tirelessly to resolve the situation.
Related Story Fuel Crisis Is The Sign Of Government Incompetence
Trapence described the situation as alarming and unsettling; further questioning whether there is any executive or political leadership in place to address this pressing concern.
“The silence exhibited by the government towards this crisis, along with various other challenges facing our nation, is indeed a cause for concern.
“It is disheartening that amidst the long queues for fuel, the president and his cabinet have chosen to remain silent, causing anxiety among well-meaning Malawians,” decried Trapence.
Related Story Newton Kambala renews calls for inquiry into plane crash that killed Vice President Saulos Chilima
He added the repercussions of the fuel crisis are far-reaching as they have affected many businesses and calls on Chakwera and his government to take immediate and robust measures to resolve the fuel crisis.
Demanded Trapence: “We urge government to communicate transparently with the nation, providing regular updates on their efforts to alleviate this crisis and mitigate its far-reaching consequences.”
