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Featured » National
Fuel situation improves after Mera’s zigubu ban
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By Gawo Sande, Nyasa Times |
January 24, 2012 · 48 Comments |
Just days after Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) banned buying fuel using gallons, drums and other containers popularly known as zigubu locally, the fuel situation has tremendously improved in many parts of Malawi.
Mera has advised those who need to fuel plants, generators and maize mills to approach its offices for permits.
Visits to many fuel stations showed that cars were easily refuelling. There was a rush to pump stations on Friday when Petroda was delivering its supplies but the pressure was managed as every car drove and bought the fuel without hassled from merchants with zigubuwho are always vocal.
Lanjesi: Puma Energy to supply more fuel
The ease was furthered on Sunday when Puma Energy started deliveries and by Monday evening many people who were in need of fuel were relieved to have bought without any troubles.
“If this situation can be sustained the surely many motorists can focus on other things because every money I had was supposed to be used for filling the tank but now its as if we are somewhere else
since afternoon cars are freely driving in to refuel which is supposed to be the case always,” said James Banda at Petroda Filling Station near College of Medicine in Blantyre on Monday night.
Puma Energy Malawi Limited general manager Dr Davies Lanjesi said fuel companies are closely working with Petroleum Importers Limited and National Oil Company to get more supplies into Malawi.
He also told the press in Lilongwe last week about how his company will use proper measures at pump stations as a way to manage the situation since supplies flowing into the country were adequate.
The ban by Mera has stifled supply to the black market and one trader at Biwi in Lilongwe admitted that it is now very hard to source fuel.
“We have our contacts at pump stations where we always get supply but now ‘boma lakwiya latitsekera mgodi’–the government is angry and has dried up our income source but stil we have made our cut,” said the dealer popularly known as Douga.
Fears
Last week, Lanjesi said the fire accident in Mzuzu where petrol exploded in a house confirmed retailers fears that fuel supplies were available in the country not in cars or pump stations but homes.
“It is for this reason that we will strictly adhere to measures by Mera and we not anymore entertain gallons and drums at our pumps as it is very risky and only powering the black market anyone interested to buy in gallons must approach Mera for permits,” said Lanjesi then.
He added that because of risk involved with crowd management Puma Energy will only allow a required number of cars at the pumps.
Malawi’s economic activities have been reduced by 50 percent because of the fuel shortages facilitated by forex unavailability which have both haunted the country for the past 2 years.
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Tags: David Lanjesi, Fuel, Mera, Puma Energy
48 Responses to “Fuel situation improves after Mera’s zigubu ban”
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allow the use of the rand and dollar in shops at bank rate and we will have forex in hand in 48hrs. Purely bussines logic. criminalising having forex in my pocket is short sightdness
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ReplyElo, ikwenda chenene, koma mwano musiye. Next tyme tizakukamani
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ReplyShame on Kasambara, Kapito, Kabwira, mwakasungura and Kondowe. Can’t you sometimes appreciate when things are moving positively?
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ReplyBravo MERA for dislodging zigubu. At least fuel can now be accessed. I think zigubu should not come back to the felling stations. I know it’s a blow to fuel attendants, because they have been involved in deals with the Zigubu vendors. They should revert to their businesses than concemtrating on fuel. It was counter productive to the Nation. Bravo MERA and Government!!!!
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ReplyMwana wa Bingu iwe sukuganiza. Munthu usadandaule zinthu zitafika povuta. Alaah.
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ReplyForex is what we are waiting now do the same no black market
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Replyoh dear!
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ReplyAmalawi nthawi zonse kungozolowera mtsutso basi. Pamene zayendako bwino tiyeni tiyamikire. If the fuel z available whether thru loan or wat, stil pple r able to refil there cars. At least it shows that heads r cracking among govt offials as to wat they shud do. So pliz stop being sily n’ critisizing everythin.
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