The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) has lamented cases of non-compliance with fuel storage rules.
Its officials say 86 percent of companies and individuals who purchase and store fuel in bulk do not comply with established storage standards.
Mera spokesperson Fitina Khonje said the development poses significant dangers to human lives, the environment and the fuel industry.
She said the findings are part of the authority’s 2025 annual inspection exercise, which was conducted earlier this year.
The inspection exercise revealed that 98 deficiencies were related to non-compliance with fuel storage licensing and regulations.
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Additionally, 59 issues concerned safety and emergency protocols while 52 issues were linked to structural and storage control problems.
Further findings indicated 46 deficiencies related to the labelling and signage of storage facilities.
According to the findings, 26 fuel dealers had inadequate fire equipment, with 21 others lacking sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Generally, if we were to apply the law as it says, it means that we were supposed to ask these oil companies to stop buying and supplying fuels until such a time when they will satisfy the requirements.
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“However, we are considering a number of factors. Sometimes, they get licences in one year and when they [licences] expire, they don’t renew [them] but they are already recognised and play a big role in driving economic activities of the country. But going forward, there will be no more room for excuses,” Khonje said.
She added that Mera had granted non-compliant stakeholders a grace period to rectify shortfalls. Mera has indicated that following this period, the authority will conduct re-inspections and will strictly enforce fuel supply restrictions on those who remain non-compliant.
Felix Malemba, an assistant store supervisor at Press Cane in Chikwawa district, described the meeting as an “eye-opener”.
Malemba affirmed the company’s commitment to adhering to fuel procurement and storage regulations, given their understanding of the product’s hazards to lives and the environment.
“We are trying our best to comply,” Malemba stated.
