Business and Finance

Malawi expects 1.2million litres fuel by rail

Malawi expects 1.2million litres fuel by rail

By Wezzie Gausi:

The country expects to receive about 1.2 million litres of fuel by rail next week, the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) has said.

This will be the third time that the country will have received fuel by rail, which is deemed as the cheapest mode of transporting the commodity.

Nocma Deputy Chief Executive Officer Micklas Reuben said increased utilisation of rail transport would enable the transportation of high volumes of fuel.

He also warned the people to avoid stealing and tampering with oil when the train has arrived.

“Stealing fuel from the train or tampering with it is an offence. People should desist from such practices. Apart from that fuel is a dangerous commodity that can only be handled and kept by authorised entities,”Micklas said.

Senior Group Village Chifumbe said traditional leaders have come up with by-laws to curb stealing of fuel.

“Any person that will be found tampering with the fuel train will be dealt with. People have been ordered to report respects to the police,”Chifumbe said.

Member of Parliament for the area Alfred Jiya rallied behind the chief’s view.

He warned against the illegal selling of fuel on the black market, saying that those caught in the act will face the long arm of the law.

“I am encouraging Malawians to report illegal fuel traders and all other fuel-related malpractices. We are working hand-in-hand with the police for continued order when the fuel arrives by rail,” Jiya said.

From August 2023 to-date, Nocma has imported 33 million litres of fuel that has arrived by rail.