Facebook fuel watch keeps Malawi moving

(CNN) -- Filling up the tank of your car in Malawi isn't easy, but one man has created a simple solution to keep drivers out of the red.

Fuel shortages have been a source of frustration for Malawians since 2009, but the daily struggle to find gas has really started to bite in recent months.

This was one of the issues that brought hundreds of demonstrators out onto the streets to demand immediate action from their government.

Protesters were killed and dozens injured in recent demonstrations in Malawi. They were protesting over frequent power blackouts and also recent legislation that they argued limited citizens rights.

Sick of wasting fuel while he drove around searching for more, one Malawian man has decided to turn to social networking site Facebook, to alert others when he strikes black gold.

"The idea came from a friend, Kondwani Chirembo, who is a Malawian working in Botswana. After I asked on Facebook where I can get fuel, he suggested that I create a group," said Frederick Bvalani an office worker in the commercial capital Blantyre.

At last count Malawi Fuel Watch had 1498 members, a number that is steadily rising as the fuel crisis in the southeast African country worsens.

Users ask questions about where to find fuel, let others know where to go, post prices and warn people how long queues are.

"Before they joined the group, people would go around town looking for fuel while depleting their remaining fuel," Bvalani explained.

Recent posters included Moses Mphatso, who told users where petrol was available and that the queues for it weren't too bad.

"Prior to this page, the common thing to do was to befriend gas-station attendants and to have them 'please call me' via mobile text, alerting you of fuel-delivery tankers," he said.

Mphatso says he would then relay the text to friends who would spread the message on to others.

"But it was expensive. This page allows for a cheap way to access up-to-date information, especially when you are in a town where you don't know people to ask," he continued.

Another user, Frank Pempho Mndala, posted an urgent call for gas in the capital Lilongwe, which prompted nine comments telling him where to go and where to avoid.

"The page is useful in that it is an adaptation mechanism for ordinary people in the wake of the crisis like this one," he said.

While the group is mostly used for fuel updates, users are starting to post other observations, such as reactions to statements by the authorities on the issue, warnings of speed traps and other car-related information.

This informal sharing of information is very common in Malawi says Mphatso.

"Malawi does not have a history of data and information management that is dependable," he said. "People have learned to depend more on experience and the verification of rumor to strategize around obstacles."

Civil society organizations are planning another round of demonstrations later in the month. Bvalani says that the mood in Malawi is a mixture of despondency and anger.

"Malawians are eager to see how the government will respond to the grievances that were presented to the authorities. However, the government response has not been positive so far," he said.

With internet use rising in the country Bvalani says his page could be just the beginning and Malawians could use Facebook and other social media to bring positive change in politics, education and development.

"Sometimes our leaders use ethnicity to divide the people and get votes but when you meet on Facebook, you don't always care about their ethnic group," he said.

"So I believe Malawians can forge a common front against abuse of power by authorities using such services."