The Maputo Municipal Council has announced it is contacting owners of stalled construction projects to push for the removal of cranes that have remained installed for several years at various points across the capital.
The information was provided by the councillor for Territorial Planning, Idálio Juvane, following a report by newspaper O País on the continued presence of lifting equipment at developments where construction has been suspended.
According to the official, the municipality began contacts with owners of some of the identified sites less than a year ago, with the aim of dismantling the structures. “We have at least one crane whose owner has requested authorisation to proceed with its dismantling,” Idálio Juvane said.
The Maputo municipality clarified that the Municipal Construction and Buildings Bylaw assigns to property owners the responsibility for the safety of works and equipment installed at their respective developments.
The council added that it is equally the responsibility of project owners to ensure that specialised technical assessments are carried out, capable of determining the state of preservation of the cranes and any potential risks to public safety.
The municipality’s role is to monitor and enforce compliance with the obligations set out in municipal legislation, particularly in cases where the structures may pose a danger to people, vehicles, and nearby buildings.
The council’s intervention follows the identification of at least three stalled construction sites in the city of Maputo where cranes remain in place. The developments are located on Avenida 24 de Julho, in the Malanga neighbourhood, at the intersection of Avenida 24 de Julho and Avenida Guerra Popular, and on Avenida Marginal, near Baía Mall.
In Malanga, one of the structures has remained installed on a building whose construction was halted in 2017. Work had begun in 2015 and was originally due for completion in February 2017.
While contacts between the municipality and the project owners continue, the council says it will maintain oversight of the cases, with responsibility for technical assessments and the necessary measures for the safe removal or preservation of the cranes resting with the developers.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/07/13/negocios/infra-estruturas/maputo-municipio-pressiona-donos-de-obras-a-retirar-gruas-inoperantes/
