Rehabilitation of EN1 and EN6 an “absolute necessity” – President

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Rehabilitation of EN1 and EN6 an “absolute necessity” – President

11:43 CAT | 26 Apr 2019

Photo: Notícias

Mozambique has a “necessary and absolute” interest in rehabilitating National Road Number Six (EN6), severely damaged by Cyclone Idai, and National Road Number One (EN1), which is showing severe damages in some sections, since both are roads vital to the economy of the region and the country.

This commitment to the restoration of these routes was expressed by President Nyusi during a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Xi Jinping in the course of the former’s visit to China, which began on Tuesday.

The Mozambican head of state’s agenda included a meeting with Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, and a speech to a forum organised by the Communist Party.

Several large Chinese companies are willing to mobilise private capital to invest in development projects in Mozambique, provided that they are properly situated within the government’s annual five-year plans.

The EN1 and EN6 are in line with this philosophy, the first as the “backbone of the country”, while the second links the city of Beira and its port to Machipanda on the border with Zimbabwe.

“We sense a change of attitude among Chinese companies regarding the development of projects in Mozambique. They are no longer just waiting for funding on the basis of bilateral relations between the two governments,” Mozambican Minister of Transport and Communications Carlos Mesquita said.

Speaking to reporters about the signing on Wednesday of two infrastructure project memoranda of understanding between the government of Mozambique and China Construction and Communications Company (CCCC), Mesquita said that Chinese companies would develop infrastructure projects such as dams (in the case of the future Mugeba dam in Zambézia), railways, telecommunications, ports and roads.

The minister explained that Mozambique’s extensive coast was the “perfect framework” for One Belt One Road initiatives, whose main focus is the development of an infrastructure network capable of ensuring interconnectivity and the global mobility of people and goods.

Today, President Nyusi is participating in the Second International Belt and Road Forum, an event that brings together 37 heads of state and government from all over the world, as well as the leaders of various international organisations and institutions.

By Almiro Mazive, AIM in Beijing

Source: Notícias