The Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Corporations has urged the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) to explore alternative transportation methods such as water, rail and pipeline transport.
During a meeting with Nocma officials in Salima district, committee chairperson Ayuba James warned that reliance on road transport leaves the country vulnerable to high fuel transportation costs, which contribute to elevated fuel prices.
James expressed hope that revitalising water or rail transport, including using boats or ships to ferry fuel from Karonga to Liwonde, could help reduce fuel prices.
He praised the company’s plans for fuel transportation infrastructure in the future.
“We have appreciated Nocma’s plans and are impressed with their commitment to projects such as the construction of a railway line,” James said.
- Advertisement -
He also mentioned that Nocma had assured the committee about fuel availability and that the company has sufficient supplies in its storage facilities.
Nocma Deputy Chief Executive Officer Micklas Reuben said the company is engaged in broader discussions aimed at improving water transportation in accordance with the country’s transport plan.
“On waterway transportation, we informed the committee that the company is part of broader engagement on revamping water transport in Malawi in line with the Malawi Transport Master Plan,” Reuben said.
In 2025, Nocma rehabilitated the Chipoka Fuel Depot in Salima, which was commissioned in August 2025. It is now operational and forms part of the waterway transportation network alongside the Nocma Chilumba Depot in Karonga.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Reuben said the company is upgrading various infrastructure that supports fuel supply, including doubling tank capacities to 120 million litres.
“We are also working with the Ministry of Energy and Mining and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works on plans to construct storage facilities at Nacala Port to simplify fuel transportation to Malawi,” Reuben said.
