The Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs has raised concerns about the rising occurrences of fatalities caused by fires related to petrol mishandling.
These concerns have surfaced in light of the prevailing fuel shortage crisis in Malawi, which has compelled vendors to procure and store petrol within residential areas.
This situation follows a recent advisory issued by the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), cautioning against improper fuel trading practices.
MERA has specifically highlighted cases where traders are distributing fuel using containers like jerry cans and drums, posing further risks.
In an interview with MIJ Online, Savel Kafwafwa, the Chairperson of the Social and Community Affairs Committee, expressed the committee’s unease over the insecure practice of storing fuel in residential areas amidst its scarcity.
Kafwafwa further emphasized the importance of adhering to the guidelines prescribed by MERA for safe fuel storage.
A recent tragic incident in Dedza underscores the severity of the issue as Chipiliro Chimkwita, 29 years old, and his 22-year-old wife, Fazida Chimkwita, lost their lives when a jerrycan containing petrol ignited within their home.
