Fuel Runs Low in Malawi as Stations Close.
Anger grows in Malawi as more gas stations shut their doors. The public wants fast help from leaders as cars sit empty.
Many say the head of Malawi's fuel office must step down. They point at Henry Kachaje, who runs MERA, the group that watches fuel use. People think he failed to fix the problem.
Church leader Harold Kachepatsonga, who leads the Mighty Chenicheni Mchiti African church, spoke up about the trouble. He said closing gas stations made things worse for everyone.
"Lines stretch far at stations," said Kachepatsonga. "Shops can't work right. People can't do basic things without fuel."
The fuel problem hits both city and farm areas hard. Cars that help sick people can't run, and shop owners lose money. Many wait hours to buy gas but often leave with empty tanks.
People became more upset after news came that Kachaje had taken a long break during this difficult time. Kachepatsonga called this very bad.
"Kachaje must leave his job right away," he said. "He shows he does not care about this big problem."
Kachepatsonga asks the state to step in. He wants clear answers about what they plan to do.
"Our people need truth and good leaders to fix this," he said. "MERA must make sure we have fuel at all stations fast."
The state often says they lack money to buy fuel from other lands. But many think bad planning made things worse than they had to be.
Anger grows in Malawi as more gas stations shut their doors. The public wants fast help from leaders as cars sit empty.
Many say the head of Malawi's fuel office must step down. They point at Henry Kachaje, who runs MERA, the group that watches fuel use. People think he failed to fix the problem.
Church leader Harold Kachepatsonga, who leads the Mighty Chenicheni Mchiti African church, spoke up about the trouble. He said closing gas stations made things worse for everyone.
"Lines stretch far at stations," said Kachepatsonga. "Shops can't work right. People can't do basic things without fuel."
The fuel problem hits both city and farm areas hard. Cars that help sick people can't run, and shop owners lose money. Many wait hours to buy gas but often leave with empty tanks.
People became more upset after news came that Kachaje had taken a long break during this difficult time. Kachepatsonga called this very bad.
"Kachaje must leave his job right away," he said. "He shows he does not care about this big problem."
Kachepatsonga asks the state to step in. He wants clear answers about what they plan to do.
"Our people need truth and good leaders to fix this," he said. "MERA must make sure we have fuel at all stations fast."
The state often says they lack money to buy fuel from other lands. But many think bad planning made things worse than they had to be.
