Mozambique: EN2 is being “swallowed up” by potholes, ANE blames truck drivers

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Mozambique: EN2 is being “swallowed up” by potholes, ANE blames truck drivers

7:57 CAT | 18 Jan 2023

Photo: O País

Thirty-nine kilometres of National Highway Number 2 (EN2) in Maputo province are completely consumed by potholes. Users complain about damage to their vehicles, while the National Roads Administration (ANE) says that trucks are to blame.

The current condition of the EN2 is simply breath-taking. “That’s what you can see, the road is degraded, and I feel sorry for the people who live here because of the dust,” says Pedro Cumbane, one of the drivers who uses the road.

The National Roads Administration in Maputo province blames the damage on the trucks transporting sand and stone. “We confirm this situation, especially in the first seven kilometres of the road, where we have quarry operators,” Rubina Nurmaomed says. “We have transport with excessive loads, and a situation in which the road has already reached the limit of its useful life.”

The ANE says that it does not currently have the money for a full-scale intervention, and will temporarily fill in the potholes while mobilizing resources for a more comprehensive rehabilitation.

“The ANE has been intervening with routine stop-gap activities such as filling holes and cleaning drains, due to financial constraints. The ANE is in the process of hiring a contractor who will rehabilitate the first seven kilometres and fill in the holes as far as Vila de Namaacha.”

The Mozambican government has already backtracked on the plan of concessioning the EN2 due to a lack of decent proposals. “This road was already on the list for concession, but proposals did not meet the government’s minimum requirements and the intention was postponed pending a search for better alternatives,” the ANE says.

Source: O País