The Road Fund in Niassa province is facing a delicate financial situation, owing 280.4 million meticais (USD 4.38 million) to contractors who carried out road maintenance work during the rainy season. The information was shared by Narciso dos Santos, the provincial delegate of the institution, during the Provincial Road Sector Meeting held in the city of Lichinga.
According to Narciso dos Santos, as quoted on Tuesday, June 3, by the news portal Carta de Moçambique, the debt relates to interventions on provincial, urban, and district roads, aimed at ensuring accessibility in one of the most remote and vulnerable regions of the country. He also noted that this amount does not include outstanding debts from last year, which total 441.7 million meticais (USD 6.90 million) and also remain unpaid.
The financial strain on the Road Fund is being worsened by the lack of funding from the State, as pointed out by Oreste Zezela, the provincial delegate of the National Road Administration (ANE). According to Zezela, the absence of financial support has forced contractors to rely on their own means and resources to carry out the works, jeopardizing the sustainability of the companies involved.
In response to the crisis, the State Secretary in Niassa, Silva Livone, called for coordinated action between the Road Fund, ANE, and central government bodies to ensure the overdue payments are made. He also praised the commitment and efforts of the contractors, who, despite financial hardships, continued working to ensure road access throughout the province.
The debt issue raises concerns about the continuity of road maintenance works and the quality of road infrastructure in Niassa.
Source: Diário Económico
