Angry motorcycle taxi and engine boat operators in Chintheche, Nkhata-Bay, staged a protest against the recent ban imposed by the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) on the sale of fuel in jerricans at filling stations.
The operators blocked the road to the Chintheche Meru Filling Station, demanding the right to purchase fuel in jerricans.
They argued that transporting their engine boats to filling stations for fuel access is impractical.
Eddington Mphande, Chairperson of the Chintheche Kabaza Association, criticized MERA’s decision, stating it unfairly affects boat operators in Nkhata-Bay.
In response, MERA’s publicist, Fitina Khonje, noted that the authority had instructed lakeshore district service stations to permit registered fishermen to buy fuel in jerrycans while emphasizing responsible use of this provision.
Malawi has been hit again with fuel shortages in many districts, attributing the problem to lack of forex.
