PIL considering options on fuel shortage

With no clear end in sight to the country’s fuel woes, importers are considering purchasing additional fuel supplies from non-contracted suppliers.

This is the message coming from the Petroleum Importers Limited – P.I.L whose members include fuel retailers Puma Energy, Petroda, Total and Energem.

In an exclusive interview P.I.L Chairman Sibongiseni Khathi says engaging non-contract suppliers will help improve fuel stock days in the country.

He adds that P.I.L is working with Commercial Banks to provide financial instruments that will support the purchases.

According to Khathi the company has advised its contract suppliers through Beira, Nacala and Dar-es-salaam port to have adequate volumes of fuel at the ports to ensure fuel availability as we head towards the festive season.

Malawi is going through one of its worst periods in as far as fuel shortage is concerned, which led to motorists in the country spending days on fuel queues while some abandoned their vehicles altogether.

The problem has culminated into minibus fare hikes by operators whose buses are still plying on the roads.