The National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) has unveiled plans to double the capacity of the Strategic Fuel Reserves (SFRs) to 120 million litres by March 2025.
According to Nocma, additional tank designs are already in place.
Speaking after appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security on Wednesday in Lilongwe, Nocma Director of Operations Micklas Reuben said the increase of the capacity would help to sort out issues of fuel scarcity in the country.
He said the current capacity is not enough as the consumption of petroleum products is on the increase in the country.
“Currently we are working on advertising for the contractor to start working on the ground. We are certain that, come March 2024, all things being equal, we will have finalised everything about the new reserves,” Reuben said.
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Committee vice chairperson Bester Awali said the committee was impressed with what Nocma said.
He said the committee believes that if Malawi can have many fuel reserves, issues of fuel scarcity will be a thing of the past.
“It is our hope that what Nocma is saying should be fulfilled on the ground. As a committee, we are still not impressed with the fuel issues in the country. As they are working on these reserves, let them also consider the safety of the products when coming in the country,” Awali said.
Meanwhile, Nocma said, from June to date, Nocma has imported 182 million litres of fuel. On average, Nocma imports 60 percent of the total national imports.
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The current SFR have the capacity of 60 million litres with Lilongwe depot keeping 25 million litres, Blantyre depot keeping 25 million litres and Mzuzu depot keeping 10 million litres.
