By Cathy Maulidi:

Malawi’s shift to Government-to-Government procurement policy for fuel has ignited tension among members in the taskforce to ensure fuel security.

On November 27, 2024 President Lazarus Chakwera announced that his administration had decided to begin the process of transitioning Malawi from the open tender system for procuring fuel to a Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangement as one way of dealing with fuel shortages.

Chakwera went further to announce that he had constituted a coordinating committee to facilitate and execute all aspects of this G2G policy.

It is chaired by the Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola and includes a technical arm of technocrats from respective ministries and an advisory committee on fuel security.

According to insiders, the working arrangement is that the advisory committee sources fuel deals and then bring them forward to the technical officials for review.

However, some technical committee members have claimed to Malawi News that they have played no role since their appointment.

A source revealed that the deals that are being dubbed to be G2G in some quarters are being discussed elsewhere.

“We only witness the implementation. Most of us haven’t been part of what is going on,” said a source from one of the departments involved.

In what could be seen as underlining the feisty situation, a member of the committee, Helen Buluma, posted a message on her social media page accusing others of sabotage for the sake of individual gains.

“When personal interest takes precedence over national interest — I tell you there is hardly much anyone can do to help save the situation!

“It’s as if the common Malawian does not matter at all! Kuti chimanga chafika MK75,000/ bag chifukwa cha increase [in] transportation cost amidst other factors alibe nazo yet kuli njala kale!”

“As long as they (a handful of them by the way) don’t benefit personally, any solution brought forward to solve this crisis is being frustrated!

“I have been here before … and sadly, I thought things will be different! Koma ayi ndithu; it’s either adyepo at the expense of the poor Malawians or forget fixing this crisis! Patsalapa ndi pa name and shame tu basi tsopano!”

Apparently, the message was targeted at some technical officials.

However, one of the technocrats said such statements are being made to deliberately to deflect blame onto others in case things take an unexpected turn.

“The current fuel stockout will not be resolved using the approach of character assassination. It