Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has called on President Lazarus Chakwera to intervene in the fuel procurement wrangle between the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) and Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) which has seen delays in the procurement process.

CDEDI executive director Sylvester Namiwa says the conflict has the potential to affect the economy of the country as fuel is the backbone of the economy.

Namiwa says the President should act quickly on the matter alleging that politicians are behind the mess.

He says politicians want to benefit from the contracts.

CDEDI has also called for the suspension of contracts that NOCMA has awarded to suppliers but also ensure that vacant key positions at NOCMA are filled.

Namiwa says without the positions being filled, it is hard for NOCMA to properly manage contracts.