“I came to see this crater, and I am not pleased” – Nyusi concerned at erosion in Nacala

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“I came to see this crater, and I am not pleased” – Nyusi concerned at erosion in Nacala

8:08 CAT | 21 Feb 2017

File photo / President Nyusi assured his audience that his visit was not intended to force anybody out of their homes, but to warn against disorderly construction in high risk areas

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Saturday condemned the reckless human behaviour leading to severe erosion in the northern port city of erosion.

The latest rains in Nacala, striking terrain that is already degraded, have opened up more deep ravines, threatening to engulf parts of the city.

Nyusi warned that the city and its deep water port run the risk of disappearing if serious measures are not taken, which must include a ban on disorderly informal construction. The erosion means that storm water is sweeping soil into the port, and the resulting situation could even lead to Nacala losing its status as a deep water port.

Nyusi made this warning at a meeting with dozens of residents of the Nacala neighbourhood of Triangulo, where an immense crater has opened, which has already led to the deaths of four children.

“Families are living in a critical situation. The crater is continuing to expand, and it threatens to swallow up part of the city”, he said.

He assured his audience that his visit was not intended to force anybody out of their homes, but to warn against disorderly construction in high risk areas. Nonetheless, he clearly believed that people ought to leave Triangulo.

He said that an area has been identified which could accommodate all the households currently living in Triangulo, but the local authorities had to ensure facilities such as electricity and water supplies were in place before they moved people there.

The common excuse given by people for not leaving high risk areas is that the resettlement areas lack basic social and economic facilities. The crowd was receptive to Nyusi’s message and people said they are willing to abandon dangerous areas, as long as minimum living conditions are established in the areas where they will be resettled.

Some years ago the Triangulo area was uninhabited, and there was an explicit ban on any construction. But local politicians (whom Nyusi did not name) overrode the ban, and allowed houses to be built.

“I came to see this crater, and I am not pleased”, said the President. “Previously there were no houses here. Indeed, there were placards prohibiting any building of houses. But some politicians mobilized people to come here”.

Source: AIM