According to the Sunday paper “Domingo” funds for construction work covering 210 kilometres of the road have already been secured. The 240 million US dollars of funding will come from the African Development Bank and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, along with funds from the Mozambican government.
Included in the project is the construction of bridges over rivers along the route from Cuamba to Massangulo in the district of Ngauma.
The central and provincial governments will be looking for 80 million dollars to finance the remaining section between Massangulo and Lichinga.
The EN13 highway is seen as vital for the development of Niassa province, providing a link with the port of Nacala. The other route seen as central to the region’s development is Cuamba – Marrupa – Lichinga.
It is hoped that rehabilitating these routes will help traders and make the province more appealing to potential investors.
Some of those interviewed by “Domingo” were sceptical of the government’s timetable and pointed out that they have been waiting for the roads to be tarmacked since the 1990’s. However, the governor of Niassa, David Malizane, told the newspaper that “we already have the funds guaranteed for the first two phases, namely Cuamba to Muita and from Muita to Massangulo”.
Malizane said that he believes that negotiations are on track to mobilise the rest of the funds needed to complete the road improvements to Lichinga.
Post published in: Africa News