By Dean Chisambo
Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola has hailed National Oil Company of Malawi ( NOCMA) for utilisation of railway transportation of 640,000 litres of petroleum from Nacala to Lilongwe after 21 years break.
Speaking during the arrival of block train transporting petroleum products Matola said the rail transport will reduce the cost and enhance the efficiency of petroleum distribution in this country.
He lamented that his ministry is committed to continue with plans to extend services from Beira port to Lilongwe.
Matola further commended President Dr Lazarus Chakwera administration for scoring distinction in the railway sector through resuming ferrying of fuel from Mozambique to Malawi, marking the restoration of the service, after the country suffered huge blow of fuel shortage for the past years due to road transport.
He added that rail system are massively suited for job creation, industrialisation and economic growth. Most developed countries catapulted their economic growth through investing into railway services.
In his sentiment, NOCMA Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) Clement Kanyama revealed the benefits of railway transport for petroleum such as the capacity to carry 40,000 litres per wagon compared to 38,000 litres per truck hence ensuring the safety of goods over a long distance.
Kanyama further disclosed that the restoration of railway services will bring efficiency in the transportation of fuel into the country.
The train which operated by the Central East Africa or Nacala logistics has travelled at a distance of 988 kilometers from Nacala to Lilongwe at NOCMA fuel sailors in Kanengo deport.
The railway transportation were out of function since in 2023 during Dr Bakili Muluzi and it’s United Domecratic Front ( UDF) party regime.
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