Malawian fuel hauliers have accused National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) of favouring foreign transporters in fuel contracts, a situation that has seen them scale down to 380 tankers from 850 tankers in 2020.
The transporters’ frustrations come at a time some truck drivers confided that about 70 trucks are stuck in Nacala, Mozambique for close to four weeks without loading fuel.
Transporters Association of Malawi chief executive officer Frank Banda said in an interview yesterday that there are some trucks stuck in Mozambique because foreign transporters are prioritised in bringing fuel to Malawi.
Some of the Malawian drivers in Nacala. | Citizen Journalist
He said similar challenges are experienced in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, where 100 trucks were sent, but some have stayed for about a month before loading, resulting in more operating costs.
Banda said the trucks were cleared by yesterday to start bringing fuel to Malawi.
He said some Tanzanian trucks come to Malawi with fuel and return before Malawian trucks are cleared by responsible authorities in Dar es Salaam.
“Foreigners are being favoured. They are keeping our trucks there to frustrate us, to force us out of business,” said Banda.
But Nocma has dismissed the claims, stating that there is no favouritism in fuel transportation.
Nocma spokesperson Raymond Likambale said in a WhatsApp response yesterday that in Nacala, Mozambique the company exclusively utilises Malawian-registered trucks for road transportation of fuel while the Central East African Railway transports by rail “in accordance with established arrangements”.
He said: “We remain in constant engagement with the supplier to expedite the loading process. All loading preparations are progressing well, and loading is expected to commence on Wednesday .”
Last week there was a stand-off between Nocma and tanker drivers over the fuel measuring system, forcing the drivers to start boycotting offloading fuel at the designated fuel reserves.
Nocma deputy chief executive officer Micklas Reuben told The Nation that the two sides were negotiating to find a solution.
