Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Friday challenged the newly appointed governor of Gaza Province, Alfeu Cuna, to place the reconstruction of flood-affected areas at the centre of his administration, calling for a swift response to restore damaged infrastructure, protect communities, and reignite the province's economic development.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Chapo said Gaza is navigating one of its most demanding periods in recent years, having been severely affected by floods and inundations earlier this year.
"Gaza Province is in a phase of recovery and reconstruction of its infrastructural, economic, and social fabric, after being severely affected by the negative impact of the floods at the beginning of this year," the head of state declared.
The President challenged Governor Cuna to accelerate the rebuilding of social and economic infrastructure destroyed by the floods and inundations, assuring him of the central government's support.
"Accelerate the reconstruction of social and economic infrastructure destroyed by the floods and inundations, certainly with our support at the central level," he said.
Beyond reconstruction, Chapo argued that Gaza must strengthen its preparedness to face extreme climate events, which cyclically affect the region. According to the President, the new provincial leader must find local solutions to reduce the impact of future floods and anticipate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which is forecast to affect the south of the country again.
"You need to visit the province, the districts, administrative posts, localities, and villages, and speak with the populations," he recommended.
Addressing the new governor, the head of state called for leadership grounded in dialogue, humility, and proximity to citizens. Beyond ensuring compliance with legislation, Chapo stressed that Alfeu Cuna must maintain a permanent relationship with the different sectors of society.
"It is necessary to be open to dialogue, tolerant, humble, and measured in order to avoid institutional conflicts and issues in personal relations," he said.
The President also advocated for participatory governance, with the involvement of local authorities, community leaders, religious organisations, women, youth, the private sector, and civil society in seeking solutions to the province's key challenges.
While placing post-flood reconstruction among immediate priorities, Chapo recommended that Gaza maintain its focus on economic growth. Among the targets presented to the new governor are increasing agricultural production, diversifying crops, developing livestock, strengthening the manufacturing industry, promoting tourism, and ensuring the sustainable management of water resources.
The head of state also advocated for support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, describing them as fundamental to job creation and to driving the provincial economy.
Daniel Chapo urged the new leader to study the new legal framework carefully, so as to ensure coordinated action with other state bodies.
"We want to see the development of Gaza Province at the pace of the dynamism of a young man that he is," Chapo said, referencing the profile of the new governor.
During his address, the President recalled that Alfeu Cuna takes office at a time when Mozambique is implementing a new decentralisation model, approved under Law No. 11/2026. Under the new framework, the provincial governor now assumes expanded responsibilities in sectors including health, education, agriculture, public works, tourism, industry, employment, and human resources management.
Chapo urged the incoming governor to study the new legal framework carefully to ensure coordinated action with other state bodies and to avoid institutional conflicts.
The occasion also served as a tribute to outgoing governor Margarida Sebastião Mapandzene Chongo, whom the President recognised for her work over six and a half years leading Gaza Province.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/08/desenvolvimento-2/gaza-chapo-desafia-novo-governador-a-acelerar-a-reconstrucao-pos-cheias/
