Nocma commissions third oil reserve
The National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) Limited on Friday commissioned its third strategic fuel reserves with a capacity of 25 million litres in Blantyre, a move that is expected to ensure continuous availability of fuel in the country.
The launch follows the commissioning of two strategic fuel reserves of 10 million litres and 25 million litres in Mzuzu and Lilongwe, respectively. With the three reserves, Malawi will now have 60 million litres in reserve, translating to 60 days of domestic fuel cover.
Presiding over the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines and Aggrey Masi hailed the Indian government for supporting all the three projects in Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre.
This, he said, was to the tune of $26 million (about K19 billion), adding that as a ministry, they will continue to lobby for more funding for construction of more reserves.
“With these reserves, we are assured of two months of continued supply of fuel in the country even in case of emerging unforeseen circumstances. Before the construction of the reserves the country could only store fuel that could last for 10 to 15 days,” said Masi.
Nocma communications officer Telephorus Chigwenembe said the commissioning of the strategic reserves signifies that the company’s committment to achieving its role of ensuring adequate fuel supply in the country.
