The National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) has conducted a series of community safety awareness campaigns targeting 100 000 people in a drive to sensitize the communities surrounding its depots on how to safely live near fuel and rail operations.
According to NOCMA Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Micklas Reuben, the campaigns have been done with an aim of reducing fuel and rail related accidents. He said the awareness campaigns target those plying businesses and residing around NOCMA depots and railways.
During the awareness campaigns, NOCMA decried the tendency of some people residing and pursuing illegal fuel businesses around the company’s premises saying this puts the lives of every citizen and that of the company’s equipment at risk.
At Lilongwe’s NOCMA depot for example, authorities have reported worries over a group of youths residing in a non-functional rail depot, waiting to draw fuel from fuel tankers and wagons, an activity the Police have described as a danger to the communities around. The police have since pledged to deal with the vice in the shortest time possible.
Senior Chief Chifumbe of Lilongwe says Chiefs have set local security strategies aimed at making sure people in their areas refrain from tampering with NOCMA equipment. He also said those found on the wrong side of the law will be delt with accordingly.
