The National Road Administration (ANE) is carrying out rehabilitation works on approximately 70 kilometers of access roads in Zambézia province, central Mozambique, with an estimated investment of 100 million meticais (1.5 million dollars), aiming to improve road conditions ahead of the peak of the rainy season.
According to Lusa, Zacarias Calisto, an ANE technician, cited by the local press on Thursday (20), stated that the works are taking place on the Mopeia-Luabo and Luabo-Nhacatiua sections and include extensive structural interventions.
“Fortunately, this year we have rehabilitation works underway, and we believe that with the upcoming rainy season, the situation will be somewhat alleviated compared to previous years,” he said.
ANE expects the works to be completed by the end of November. Complementary drainage structures, such as culverts and small bridges, are expected to be constructed throughout December, in an effort to ensure the durability of the roads against heavy rains, which, according to the climate calendar, continue until April.
The intervention in Zambézia is part of a broader effort by the Mozambican government to rehabilitate the national road network. On May 29, the government announced it had secured financing of 1.1 billion dollars (81.4 billion meticais) for works on National Road One (N1), the country’s main highway.
The amount represents about one-third of the funds required for the full rehabilitation of the N1, whose sections show a high level of deterioration.
In the initial phase of the project, 340 kilometers are planned for rehabilitation, including 70 kilometers between Inchope and Gorongosa in Sofala province; 176 kilometers between Chimuara and Nicoadala in Zambézia; and 94 kilometers between Metoro and Pemba in Cabo Delgado. Some of these works are expected to begin later this month in Sofala province.
Financing for this large-scale project is partially provided by the World Bank, which approved a package of 850 million dollars, with about half to be applied in the initial phase of the works.
