By Suleman Chitera

The National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) has commenced a major cleaning, inspection and maintenance exercise on fuel storage tanks at its Blantyre Depot as part of measures to strengthen safety, reliability and efficiency of the country’s fuel storage infrastructure.

The exercise is part of NOCMA’s scheduled maintenance programme and is aimed at identifying and addressing potential problems that could compromise the safety or performance of the tanks.

NOCMA says the inspection will specifically help detect issues such as corrosion, structural defects and other potential risks associated with long-term storage of petroleum products.

According to the company, carrying out the maintenance at the scheduled intervals is critical to ensuring that the storage facilities remain safe, operational and fit for continued use.NOCMA optimistic of continued stable fuel supply

The tanks at the Blantyre Depot were commissioned in 2016 and have now reached their scheduled 10-year inspection and maintenance cycle.

NOCMA has therefore started the exercise at the Blantyre facility before extending the programme to its other major depots in Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

The works will be undertaken in phases to allow the company to maintain the operational capacity of its fuel storage network while the inspections and maintenance are being conducted.

NOCMA says the exercise will also contribute to extending the lifespan of the storage infrastructure by allowing potential defects to be identified and addressed before they develop into more serious problems.

The company has moved to reassure consumers and fuel industry players that the maintenance programme will not disrupt normal fuel supply and distribution across the country.

NOCMA says measures have been put in place to ensure that fuel supplies continue to be maintained while the maintenance works are underway.

The assurance comes amid persistent public sensitivity over fuel availability in Malawi, where interruptions in supply can quickly trigger long queues at filling stations and concerns among motorists and businesses.NOCMA optimistic of continued stable fuel supply

NOCMA has consequently urged members of the public not to engage in panic buying of fuel because of the maintenance exercise.

The company says the planned works are a routine and necessary part of managing critical petroleum storage infrastructure and should not be interpreted as a signal of an impending fuel shortage.

The maintenance programme is expected to strengthen the integrity of NOCMA’s storage facilities and support the company’s mandate of ensuring reliable fuel storage and distribution infrastructure.

By starting the inspection programme at the Blantyre Depot and subsequently moving to Lilongwe and Mzuzu, NOCMA is undertaking a systematic assessment of its storage infrastructure across the country.

The exercise also underscores the importance of regular inspection and maintenance of fuel storage facilities, given the safety risks associated with storing large volumes of petroleum products.NOCMA Paid K2.7 Billion To 4 Contracted Local Fuel Transporters

NOCMA has reiterated its commitment to maintaining safe and reliable storage facilities while ensuring that the maintenance programme is implemented without compromising the normal supply and distribution of fuel.

Key points:

• NOCMA has started cleaning, inspection and maintenance of fuel tanks at its Blantyre Depot.
• The tanks were commissioned in 2016 and have reached their 10-year inspection cycle.
• The exercise will check for corrosion, defects and other potential safety risks.
• The programme will later move to NOCMA facilities in Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
• NOCMA says fuel supply and distribution will continue normally.
• The public has been urged against panic buying of fuel.