By Linda Kwanjana
The National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) has pushed back against complaints by local transporters that they are being sidelined in fuel haulage, saying Malawian truckers are central to the process and fully dominate some routes.
NOCMA Public Relations Officer Raymond Likambale told this publication in an exclusive interview that the concerns raised by transporters are “surprising” given the company’s reliance on them.
“We highly value Malawian transporters as important stakeholders in the haulage of fuel into the country,” Likambale said. “It is important to note that, on the Mozambican route, we are operating at 100 percent Malawian transporter participation, as we exclusively engage Malawian transporters for fuel transportation services from Mozambique.”
He cited May figures to support the claim: 220 tankers moved fuel from Mozambique’s Nacala and Beira ports, while another 124 tankers operated along the Northern Corridor. Likambale noted those numbers keep changing because fuel haulage is ongoing.
On how trucks are allocated, NOCMA said it works through recognized transporter associations. Whenever products are available at loading ports, the associations nominate trucks for the assignment.
“The lists we receive are therefore based on nominations submitted by the associations themselves,” Likambale explained. He urged tanker owners not yet affiliated with any association to consider joining one.
According to Likambale , on Friday alone 55 Malawian Tankers left for Tanga in Tanzania and that May report by MERA, indicates that 64.95% of fuel haulage was done by Malawians.
NOCMA thanked transporters for their role in keeping fuel supplies stable and said it remains open to “constructive discussions” to maintain cordial relations.
The statement comes amid growing complaints from some Malawian transporters who allege they are being excluded from lucrative fuel haulage contracts.
