The Municipality of Maputo laid the foundation stone this Thursday (19) for the construction of a 14-kilometer stormwater drainage system, an infrastructure project aimed at mitigating flooding in the neighborhoods of Polana Caniço “A” and “B,” as well as Maxaquene “B,” “C,” and “D,” benefiting around 100,000 families.
Budgeted at over $58 million, the project is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The ceremony was led by the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael, who stated that investment in urban drainage is no longer merely an engineering option but has become a strategic decision to protect communities.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Maputo, Rasaque Manhique, said the laying of the foundation stone represents a structural turning point, marking the effective start of the rehabilitation of the Maxaquene and Polana Caniço neighborhoods. He added that the initiative demonstrates the municipality’s ongoing commitment to improving residents’ living conditions.
The Italian Ambassador to Mozambique, Gabriel Annis, highlighted the importance of cooperation among the various entities involved, emphasizing that the project results from a partnership aimed at achieving shared objectives.
The implementation of this infrastructure comes in the context of recurring urban flooding in Maputo, reinforcing the need for structural investments in drainage systems to reduce the vulnerability of the most affected areas.
Source: Diário Económico
