Energy
MERA assures Malawians of sufficient fuel supply despite COVID-19 threat
March 27, 2020 / Wahard Betha
In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak which has prompted countries to close boarders in so doing disrupting imports of essential commodities, the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) saysMalawi has sufficient internal fuel stock cover for approximately two months.
In a statement issued on its Facebook page, CEO for MERA Collins Magalasi explains that the country has sufficient petrol stock cover equivalent to 43 days and diesel of up to 83 days.
Magalasi says: “MERA would like to inform the public that the country continues to receive Liquid Fuels and Gas (LFG) from the ports of Beira, Nacala and Dar es Salaam without restraint; and stakeholders in the fuel supply industry are alert to ensure an effective and efficient response to any impending disruption to LFG supply.”
He says although the country has not registered any case of Covid-19, the pandemic requires a strategic approach in preparedness, management and recovery of a potential fuel and gas supply disturbance.
Magalasisays as one way of fighting the virus, MERA has activated the National Emergency Response Plan that will involve working with the National Liquid Fuels and Gas Emergency Management Committee and Operations Management Group which are provided in the response plan.
He applauds all key stakeholders and players in the fuel sector for their rolein facilitating sufficient fuel stock in Malawiwhile the country is under the threat of the pandemic.
“MERA thanks all fuel importers, transporters, oil marketing companies, retailers, government ministries and departments, banks and all stakeholders for the great coordinated approach that has been taken and resulted in our country having healthy fuel stocks at a time that the world is under the coronavirus threat,” he says.
Magalasipledges to continue updating the public of the fuel supply situation in the country when necessary.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the declining of fuel prices on the international market forcing countries like Malawi to lower its fuel prices.
MERA recently slashed diesel prices from K924 per litre to K887 per litre while the price of paraffin was reduced from K710 to K693 per litre but that of petrol has been maintained at K930 per litre.
The Authority stated that the changes in the prices of diesel and paraffin were in line with the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) where the two fuel’s landed costs were beyond the plus minus five percent trigger limit.
Malawi Government’s strategic fuel reserves have a storage capacity of 60-million litres translating to 60 days’ stock cover, and there are plans to raise the capacity to 90-million litres thus 90 days of fuel stock cover.
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