Fuel shortage crisis persists despite promises from government and energy regulators

By Burnett Munthali

The persistent fuel shortage in Malawi continues to frustrate motorists, contradicting recent assurances from the government and top officials at the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) and National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).

Last Wednesday, Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu, MERA’s Chief Executive Officer Henry Kachaje, and NOCMA’s Director Clement Kanyama, assured the public that the fuel supply crisis would ease by the end of the week. They claimed that measures were being put in place to resolve the issue.

However, a visit to several fuel stations in Blantyre revealed that the situation remains unchanged, with many stations completely dry. Desperate citizens are seen gathering at these stations, hopeful that fuel deliveries might arrive. Some have resorted to sleeping at the stations in anticipation of fuel tankers.

The crisis has worsened to the point where a 5-liter jerrycan of petrol is being sold for as much as MWK 35,000 or MWK 30,000 on the black market.

So far, neither the government, MERA, nor NOCMA has issued further statements on the unrelenting shortage, leaving the public in uncertainty and frustration.