The assurances provided by Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga regarding fuel availability during the ongoing crisis appear to lack tangible results. PATRICK LUNDA reports.
Despite the Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga and Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority’s assurance of availability of fuel amid a crisis, there is nothing much to show for it.
The minister made the assurance on Friday last week that 23.6 million litres of fuel was procured with 11.6 million loaded on the way to Malawi, the situation on the ground gives little hope for end in sight of long queues.
On Sunday and Monday, most motorists were left helpless as they scampered from one filling service station to another in search.
A motorbike operator in Machinjiri Bizwick Phiri was left frustrated after failing to fuel for three consecutive days.
“I have been hunting since Saturday. On Monday, I failed to fuel twice at two stations when fuel ran out as I was about to be served. It pained me after enduring such scorching heat,” he said.
Most service stations in Blantyre have run out of fuel. Picture by Stella Kamwana
Speaking on conditions of anonymity, a motorist, who has been transferred to Lilongwe and mostly spends weekends with his family in Blantyre, failed to come on Saturday, citing scarcity of fuel.
He was expected to escort his niece to a university.
The situation has also left commuters frustrated as it has caused unstable bus fares.
A commuter, who operates from Yasin in Chiradzulu rues the fuel shortage. “Imagine the bus fare has risen more than double from K2,000 to K5,000.”
Yesterday, a football match between Ekhaya Reserves and Chiradzulu United in the Southern Region Division One, was postponed after the visiting team from Chiradzulu failed to travel because of fuel.
The situation remains dire with most minibuses grounded due to lack of fuel. A spot check in Blantyre also revealed that most service stations had no fuel.
The story is the same in Lilongwe and Mzuzu citites
But as the Minister of Energy assured, it is a matter of time for the availability of fuel to stabilise if the 23.6 million litres of fuel arrive.