Mozambique’s National Roads Administration (ANE) has invested 60 million meticais in emergency interventions on National Road Number 1 (EN1), along the Missão Roque–Zimpeto stretch in the city of Maputo, and has pledged to begin drainage works at the route’s most critical points within the coming weeks.
One of the areas targeted was the TotalEnergies zone, where works comprised pothole filling and the application of a resurfacing layer to improve vehicle flow. This phase of the contract did not, however, include the construction of drainage channels to manage rainwater runoff — one of the primary concerns raised by motorists using the route.
According to ANE’s provincial delegate, Dado Novela, three critical sections were identified along the Missão Roque–Zimpeto corridor, characterised by deep potholes and serious drainage deficiencies. “These were emergency interventions to ensure passability at these points and to reduce the congestion problems they were causing,” he said.
Novela acknowledged that the absence of drainage channels represents a limitation of the current intervention, but assured that this component is included in the project scope and will be executed at a later stage, with the objective of delivering a more durable solution to the problems identified along the stretch.
The works come after years of complaints from motorists who had denounced the deteriorated condition of the road, marked by potholes and persistent traffic congestion. During a site visit, road users expressed satisfaction with the improvement in driving conditions.
Nevertheless, motorists maintained that a definitive solution requires the construction of an effective drainage system capable of preventing water accumulation during the rainy season, arguing that only such infrastructure can guarantee consistently safe and passable conditions along the road.
When questioned about drainage channels built along certain EN1 sections last year that have proved insufficient to prevent flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, ANE reiterated that it is assessing new interventions at the most vulnerable points. Until the complementary works begin, road users are hoping that future construction will permanently resolve the drainage problems and help preserve the road infrastructure.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/07/07/negocios/infra-estruturas/maputo-ane-investe-60-milhoes-de-meticais-em-intervencoes-de-emergencia-na-en1/
