Fuel crisis hits Malawi

  1. Posted on Wednesday 15 September 2010 - 10:21
    madalitso
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    Madalitso Kateta, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi
    Pumping stations throughout Malawi are experiencing diesel shortage following the country's failure to pay its debt. Africa news sources have revealed the fuel crisis has come as a result of the country's failure to pay its debts to petroleum suppliers and is now sourcing for new suppliers.
    fuel station
    “Government is now sourcing replacement suppliers and will not be able pay the money owed to former suppliers. It would want to start smoothly with new suppliers and build up debts too,” a source in the ministry of energy told Malawi’s controversial on line publication Nyasa Times.

    Following the pullout of Petrol Mob, BP remained the sole supplier of fuel to government.

    Malawi is now relying on independent importers to bring in the much needed commodity as Petroleum Importers of Malawi (PIL) fail to settle their debts.

    Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) has however assured in a media statement that efforts are being made to ensure the availability of diesel in all filling stations across the country.

    “[Mera] would like to inform the public that fuel continues to flow into the country and that as of [Saturday], the country has received a total of 43 tankers of diesel, 19 tankers of petrol and tankers of paraffin which have been distributed throughout the country,” reads the statement signed by Mera Chief Executive Officer Alex Chiwaya.

    Mera has also banned jerry cans, drums or any containers at filling stations.

    Minister of Energy and Mines Grain Malunga has blamed authorities responsible for foreign exchange control for the diesel shortage.

    At majority of the fuel stations in the capital city Lilongwe, pump attendants were waving away motorists who would turn up for diesel.

    Several filling stations across the country displayed the signal that “the product is out of stock”, a survey by Nyasa Times found out.

    Meanwhile, President Mutharika currently in Iran has ordered that fuel for his jet should be available at all times to ensure he continues his condemned globetrotting.

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