By Chimwemwe Mangazi in Beira, Mozambique:
One of the fuel suppliers to Malawi, Lake Oil Limited, has indicated that delays in loading tankers at its terminal at Beira port is perpetuated by customs clearance bureaucracies and loading traffic.
This came out during a media tour of the facility organised by the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma).
According to Lake Oil Terminal Manager Maria Rinaldo, Beira port is congested because it is growing as over 1,300 trucks and tankers flock to the port every day.
He added that there are redundant customs clearance procedures that worsen the situation.
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“They [tankers] are actually taking some more time to get the permission for loading. So there is actually a delay because the customs department in Beira handles almost eight terminals.
“Total number of almost 1,300 trucks per day, so they are also a bit overwhelmed. That’s why they delay mostly. But we are trying our best to come together with the customs port authority,” Rinaldo said.
Nocma spokesperson Raymond Likambale said talks are underway between the authorities.
“Nocma is working day and night to make sure that there are petroleum products in Malawi because we know that the situation needs quick solutions. There are over 70 trucks that are waiting to load petroleum products that are destined for Malawi,” Likambale said.
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In recent weeks, Malawi has been riddled with fuel scarcity challenges characterised by long queues of stranded motorists in city streets.
