Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI) has hailed President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for acting on its demands.

Last week CDEDI through its Acting Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa penned Mutharika and the special Cabinet committee on Covid 19 to consider subsidizing bus fares by among other things reducing the fuel prices.

In his address on Saturday night, Mutharika directed the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) to reduce fuel prices with immediate effect.
The directive has seen MERA reducing the fuel prices by 16 percent.

“CDEDI would like to thank the State President Peter Mutharika for listening to one of our demands.

“In his National Address, he has directed the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) to reduce fuel prices with immediate effect. This move is intended to reduce transport cost,” said Namiwa.

He added: “In our last two statements we strongly advised the government through Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 to consider reducing transport fares because the new transport measures affected many people. Some who could not afford resorted to walk long distances to reach to their respective work or business places.”

Meanwhile it is yet to be seen if Minibus owners will reduce minibus fares.