After 21 years, a train carrying diesel fuel has finally arrived the capital of Malawi, ending a series of fuel shortages that has plagued the country for years. Malawian authorities confirmed that it marks the start of regular fuel transportation through a newly refurbished rail line from the port of Nacala in Mozambique.
“This is an organised form of transport with fixed routes and schedules contributing to the speedy delivery,” Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil Company, Clement Kanyama, said as images of the train, carrying almost 600,000 litres of fuel, were broadcast on television as it arrived Lilongwe.
“Once the train departs, nothing delays the train until it stops in Malawi.” He added.
This marks the first delivery of fuel via train in Lilongwe since 2003, following the restoration of Malawi’s rail system by Central East Africa Railways earlier this year.
The development is also a cost-saving initiative for Malawi, which has relied on road transport for fuel for a long time, and it is expected that the money that had hitherto been used for fuel transportation can now be utilised for other developmental projects.
Authorities say they expect up to two million litres of fuel in the next consignment and hope the product’s availability will lower the cost of various commodities.
