The Mozambican Federation of Road Transport Associations (FEMATRO) has warned that the lack of financing is worsening the development of the road transport sector in Mozambique, revealing that many vehicles are idle due to insufficient investment.
Quoted by the newspaper O País, Jorge Manhiça, spokesperson for FEMATRO, explained that currently, banks are not financing the expansion of urban transport operators, and access to credit for interprovincial operators has become limited. “We have over 150 buses parked in workshops, needing only minor repairs to return to operation,” he said.
Manhiça explained that entrepreneurs invest in modern buses for passenger transport, but poor road conditions—especially along National Road Number 1—have increased costs and reduced investment returns. “When a bus leaves Maputo for the Central or Northern regions, it often arrives at its destination with serious mechanical damage due to the state of the infrastructure.”
According to the spokesperson, the lack of adequate terminals in metropolitan areas hinders logistics and reduces operational profitability. “In Maputo city, there are some terminals, but in areas like Matola, Marracuene, and Boane, there are practically none, which directly impacts the functioning and organization of transport.”
Recently, the Mozambican Federation of Road Transport Associations expressed opposition to the constant stoppages in the public passenger transport sector, declaring itself detached from strikes and condemning coercive actions against colleagues who choose to continue working. “We are not in favor of strikes and stoppages, although we recognize that concerns exist. But we oppose the stoppages that are occurring and distance ourselves from them. Those who call these stoppages don’t even show their faces,” said FEMATRO president Castigo Nhamane to the Lusa news agency.
The official revealed that “FEMATRO does not know the origin of these stoppages, which have been recurring since the post-election demonstrations.” The federation is concerned about the escalation of instability and calls for intervention by national authorities to restore order on the roads.
Source: Diário Económico
