The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has disassociated itself from a notice making rounds on social media purportedly preventing fuel supply in certain service stations in Blantyre.
Mera spokesperson Fitina Khonje in an interview said the regulator was not aware of the origin of the communication.
She said: “This is not from Mera. We would like to have fuel distributed as widely as possible so that customers are served in many stations. In fact, the fuels sector intends to have extensive deliveries within Blantyre tomorrow.”
The notice which has gone viral advises oil marketing companies (OMCs) that due to President Lazarus Chakwera’s program in Blantyre on Saturday, November 2, 2024, they should not allocate fuel to almost 20 service stations.
The mentioned service stations include Chileka Puma, Kameza Puma, Kameza Petroda, Chirimba Simso, Chirimba Energem, Nyambadwe Puma, Nyambadwe Total, Nyambadwe Simso, Nyambadwe, Mount Meru, Blantyre Main Puma, Clock Tower Petroda and Haile Selassie Total.
Others are Cristwick Total, Cristwick Puma, Polytechnic Total, Chichiri Puma, Chichiri Total, Yianakis Total, Lotus Puma, Limbe Main Puma and all service stations in Limbe.
Chakwera is in Blantyre to take part in the Malawi Defence Force annual Military Veterans Charity Golf Tournament Country Club Limbe and all the mentioned service stations are along the road where he will pass or will be around.
“As a precaution ensure that the fuel is allocated to service stations outside Blantyre CBD and outside Limbe CBD,” reads the notice.
But the notice has advised the OMCs to proceed and allocate fuel to Bangwe, Ndirande, Chilobwe, Kanjedza, Machinjiri, Lunzu and other areas outside Blantyre and Limbe CBDs.
But while Mera is feigning ignorance on the communication, a source within the fuel sector said the regulator has, during similar crises before, previously asked oil marketing companies to strategically starve stations along presidential routes to prevent motorists from blocking the President’s passage.
President Chakwera’s motorcade was once booed by motorists on a fuel queue in Lilongwe. Former president Bingu wa Mutharika also had similar encounters during the 2011-12 fuel scarcities.
Source:NPL
