By: Mayamiko Phiri.

Umodzi Party President Thomas Wezzie Kaumba has reiterated a call for the government through Malawi energy regulatory authority (MERA) to adjust fuel pump prices as a way of dealing with massive fuel scarcity the country is facing which has negativity affected businesses and economy as the whole.

Kaumba made the remarks during an interview in Blantyre on Wednesday,20th November.

According Kaumba, fuel traders are purchasing the commodity at high landing cost while incurring losses, which is partly attributing to huge scarcity of the commodity.

He however, acknowledged that raising pump prices of fuel might be a political gamble for the government as prices of goods and services will also likely go up.

“Such bold move will allow businesses to be moving forward, as currently small scale businesses and the private sector are not producing enough due to the scarcity of fuel.” Said Kaumba.

On the other hand, while acknowledging that the government is making some strides in terms of infrastructure development, such as construction of roads country wide,there is a need for the government to deal with hunger crises which has affected most homes in the country.

He suggested that government should shift from food distribution excise and instead supply agricultural development and marketing cooperation ( Admarc) with much grain, so that a lot of people can purchase maize at a reasonable price.