Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu, says Malawi will this weekend receive 3.617 million litres of diesel and 3.507 million litres of petrol which is enough for 4.2 days.
The Minister made the remarks Wednesday during a press briefing at the Central Office of Information (COI) in Lilongwe where he was updating the nation on the position of fuel.
The Minister highlighted that the daily consumption of fuel has shot up to two million litres for diesel and petrol from 1.7 million litres because people are buying out of anticipation of stock outs.
He said the volumes currently available can provide cover for two days.
“What is being processed at the ports right now is 3.354 million litres of diesel and 9.080 million litres of petrol which represents a 60 percent of total imports since 1st August,” he said.
Kunkuyu said the major challenges of the fuel shortage has been forex which the Ministry of Finance is working on to extend the credit facility.
Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) Chief Executive Officer, Henry Kachaje highlighted that processes are underway to have Petroleum Importers Limited upscale the volumes they bring into the country so that NOCMA’s volumes go directly into the reserves and not into filling stations.
NOCMA Chief Executive Officer, Clement Kanyama said efforts to enhance use of Nacala- Blantyre railway are being considered.
He said while the challenge is that there is one major storage facility connected to the rail way, the Government of Mozambique has given Malawi land to develop storage facilities which will aid with the necessary quantities.
NOCMA with the aid of government and other development partners is hopeful that the strategic fuel reserves will be filled before September as necessary processes are underway.
Reported by Twimepoki Mangani
