The scramble for fuel at service stations on Tuesday degenerated into chaos in Blantyre City as motorists blocked main roads causing traffic jams that lasted for several hours.

The situation inconvenienced other motorists and commuters using public transport. It was dire in the morning at some fuel service stations where motorcycle taxi operators thronged and were demanding to be served first.

Vehicles queue at Green Corner Puma Service Station in Blantyre on Tuesday

The chaos led to a commotion between the motorists and motorcycle taxi operators on who should be served first.

It took fuel attendants and police officers to calm the situation by setting up two separate queues for the motorists and motorcycle taxi operators.

On the other hand, at some fuel service stations, motorists who wanted to purchase fuel in jerry cans also nearly fought with both police and fuel attendants.

The motorists argued that their vehicles had run out of fuel several kilometres away from the service stations, as such, the only option they had was to use the jerry cans.

But the fuel attendants and police remained adamant basing their arguments on Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) decision to revoke a waiver that allowed motorists purchase fuel in the jerry cans.

In a statement on September 6 2022, Mera announced revocation of the waiver that allowed motorists and other users of fuel to buy up to 20 litres of the commodity in the jerrycans.

Initially, the energy regulatory body issued the waiver on April 3 2022, against the background of fuel shortages that were being experienced at that time.

Namiwawa resident Bentry Makalani said on Tuesday he was delayed to drop his daughter at school as he was blocked by motorists on both sides of the road.

He said: “The road was totally blocked and I was delayed for close to 45 minutes before it was partially cleared.”

On her part, Lilongwe resident Ivy Chibwana said she was delayed for an hour as roads leading to service stations were blocked.

In Mzuzu, the situation was mild as some fuel service stations had fuel as compared to Blantyre and Lilongwe.

Efforts to speak to Mera spokesperson Fitina Khonje proved futile as she was out of reach.

The Malawi Government announced last month that it has secured a $50 million line of credit from Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa for fuel imports.

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Sosten Gwengwe said the facility will help the National Oil Company of Malawi to solve the current fuel shortages.

According to Mera, Malawians on average use 845 000 litres of petrol and 834 000 litres of diesel in a day. In a month, about $50 million is needed to buy the fuel.

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