Fuel crisis looms

Motorists across Malawi are grappling with an escalating fuel crisis, with many forced to travel long distances and spend hours at fuel stations as most have run out of petrol.

District reports including Nsanje, Zomba, Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu confirm widespread shortages, with long queues observed at the few operational stations.

Situation Across Districts

In Nsanje, Capital FM’s reporter, Manford Chirombo, described the difficult situation, saying, “Motorists are experiencing long queues at the few service stations that still have petrol.”

He further highlighted that some drivers are now turning to black markets in search of fuel due to the limited supply at official stations.

In Zomba, Grace Kantchetche, another reporter on the ground, said, “Only a few stations were in operation as of yesterday,” leaving many motorists stranded and frustrated.

Blantyre: The commercial hub hit hard

Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre, has not been spared from the effects of the fuel crisis. The shortage has led to a hike in transport fares for public transport users. For example, minibus commuters traveling from Blantyre to Limbe are now paying between 700 and 1,000 Kwacha for a single trip, a steep increase from the usual 500 Kwacha fare.

Capital FM’s Noel Mkwaila observed that “the few stations that still had petrol were overwhelmed by the number of vehicles,” which caused significant traffic congestion and lengthy delays in the city.

Monkey Bay struggles with complete fuel absence

In Mangochi, Alick Majid, reporting from Monkey Bay, stated that “most service stations did not have both diesel and petrol,” which forced many residents to search for fuel in neighboring areas, further complicating daily activities for many.

Northern Region Facing Similar Challenges

In the northern region, reporter Kelvin Tembo described the experience of motorists in Mzuzu, who are also enduring long queues at service stations that are quickly running out of fuel.

The central region is less affected

Shifting to the central region, Clement Msiska reported a slightly more manageable situation compared to other areas.

He noted, “There hasn’t been a scramble for the commodity like in other districts,” though some fuel shortages are still being observed.

“In areas like Kanengo, Areas 25, 49, and 49 the situation is normal while congestion emerged in town,” he said.

MERA’s response to the crisis

Meanwhile, the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has acknowledged the fuel crisis and assured the public that measures are being taken to stabilize the situation.

MERA’s consumer affairs and public relations manager, Fitina Khonje, explained that foreign currency inefficiencies caused the shortage, but she emphasized that the situation is now under control.

“We are putting more efforts to stabilize the fuel scarcity situation that has hit most parts of the country,” Khonje said, offering some hope for relief.

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