Former Energy Minister in the Peoples Party (PP) administration Ibrahim Matola has urged government and Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL) to hold urgent discussions, to change the Beira route amid petrol tanker attacks in Mozambique.
Matola said if the issue is not addressed urgently, the country might face another fuel crisis.
Matola’s comments come in the wake of an attack last week on a fuel tanker carrying K23 million worth of petrol for Malawi.
He said while alternative routes might be expensive, it is much better than for Malawians to experience long queues of fuel at filling stations.
“This issue needs urgent attention. Our import cover for fuel is two weeks, if this is disturbed, then we should expect a fuel shortage crisis.
“We should look for alternative routes such as passing through Harare to Zambia. This route though is long and will mean adjusting fuel prices in order to cover expenses and loss of fuel in transit, is better than sleeping at filling stations,” said Matola.
He advised the government to discuss the matter with Mozambique in terms of international policy as most Malawian imports pass through Beira.
Matola further said it is high time the government started the feasibility studies of the long awaited oil pipeline project.
“Feasibility studies for the oil pipeline should commence now. Apart from that, as a country, we should develop our own corridor,” said Matola.
He said Malawi needs her own reliable route that will not be threatened security-wise when conflicts arise in neighboring countries.
“The Nacala Corridor is the best route for us. As a country we should start thinking of rehabilitating the railway lines and use the lake to transport our imports,” he said.
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