Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) recorded losses estimated at around 3.8 million meticais (approximately 59,500 dollars) in the central province of Zambézia, resulting from acts of vandalism and theft of electrical infrastructure over the year now coming to a close.
This information was provided on Friday in Quelimane by the director of EDM – Quelimane Area, Ludovino Beleza, in statements to the press.
According to the source, the losses stem from the destruction and theft of various electrical equipment, most commonly switches, generators, poles, meters, and electrical installations, significantly affecting the energy supply capacity in several parts of the province.
“The losses resulting from these acts of vandalism amount to about three million eight hundred thousand meticais, with Mocuba district identified as the epicenter of these criminal practices,” said Beleza, adding that several households were left without electricity.
Regarding the crimes, the official revealed that legal proceedings are underway to hold three individuals accountable, identified as the perpetrators of the vandalism and theft of electrical materials.
To curb the wave of destruction of public property, EDM is conducting awareness campaigns with local leadership at all levels, urging community vigilance as a way to reduce theft and vandalism of electrical infrastructure.
“EDM maintains constant interaction with communities to strengthen awareness mechanisms and alert the population to the negative impact of damages caused by sabotage of electrical infrastructure throughout the province,” the source said.
Regarding rural electrification work, Ludovino Beleza highlighted significant progress aimed at ensuring full coverage of the 49 administrative posts in the province, of which only six are still awaiting subsequent procedures for electrification.
Among the administrative posts with government-approved projects awaiting fund mobilization are Chire and Megaza in Morrumbala district; Campo in Mopeia district; and Tacuane and Muabanama in Lugela and Milange districts, respectively.
He explained that the necessary protocols for financing mobilization are currently being observed, without specifying concrete timelines for the start of works.
“To date, we have registered around 40,000 new electrical connections, with 19,000 in the southern part of the province and 20,000 in the northern region, representing significant progress in access to energy,” he noted.
According to the data presented, the electricity access rate in Zambézia increased from 24 percent at the start of the ‘Energy for All’ project to 35 percent over the past five years, representing an 11-point growth, with the goal of achieving even wider coverage by 2030.
When asked about EDM’s readiness during the festive season and the rainy period, the director assured that multi-sectoral brigades had been activated to ensure a rapid response in restoring the electricity network whenever necessary.
“Under normal circumstances, we record 20 to 25 breakdowns daily in Quelimane. During the rainy season, this number rises to around 40 to 45 breakdowns per day,” he explained.
In response to this scenario, EDM has strengthened its operational capacity, increasing mobile teams from three to five, in addition to repositioning the 24-hour standby crews, a measure that, according to Beleza, will allow better responses to customer requests.
The source also noted that many breakdowns result from the effects of adverse weather, which weaken electrical infrastructure, stressing that although some temporary technical repairs are being carried out, certain structures require deeper interventions.
“Across the province, the deployment of infrastructure more resilient to natural phenomena is underway,” he concluded.
Source: AIM
