The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has warned that Filling Stations risk closure if they do not comply with minimum standards and regulations. MERA chief executive officer, Dr Collins Magalasi, issued the warning in an interview on the sidelines of the fuel retailers’ sensitisation workshop in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

 “As you will recall that it was in 2017 that MERA released new standards and minimum requirements for filling stations. And we have been looking at the market and we felt that it is important that we bring all the stakeholders that are running filling stations so that we take them through what is required and hear their side of the story on why some of them are still having challenges to comply,” he said.

In October, Mera announced that it shut down 32 filling stations,  for non-compliance with rules and regulations. The develpment follows after Mera made strategies to combat illegal fuel vending. Mera Public Relations Officer, Patrick Maulidi, emphasized that illegal fuel vending is very harmful, considering that it can destroy lives and property. “It is only Mera that certifies people to sell fuel.

Magalasi said that the operators and retailers are defying the laws, as it has been observed that some do not comply in terms of the structures that they have while others do not meet the standard practices through the quality of the fuel they have.