Lack of funds: A constraint to new bridges construction – Mozambique

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Lack of funds: A constraint to new bridges construction – Mozambique

3:37 CAT | 11 Oct 2016

Noticias / Licungo river bridge

The Zambezia Provincial government is encountering difficulties sourcing financing for new bridges over the Licungo and Malei rivers in the cities of Mocuba and Maganja da Costa respectively.

According to the provincial director of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources Artur Graciano, the matter has been referred to central government.

The bridge over the river Malei in Maganja da Costa was destroyed by floods last year, and a replacement is estimated at US$25 to 30 million.

In the case of the Licungo bridge in Mocuba, it was necessary to take a decision on the basis of the amount available to make the emergency intervention. With the funds available it was possible to reconstruct the bridge’s northern approach and improve its southern.

“With the package available, little could be done, so the decision was to prioritise transit security, while more sustainable solutions were discussed at central level,” Graciano said.

He added that studies are underway to find the best option in both cases, including matters of economic viability, the behaviour of the watershed and whether or not it would be better to move the bridge to another location, along with any implications in terms of compensation in the event of community resettlement.

Meanwhile, there is ongoing routine maintenance work of roads in order to allow traffic to flow, particularly in the rainy season ahead.

According to the provincial director of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, a total of 4,900 kilometers of roadway require attention.

Regarding work on 13 bridges in the Nampevo section in Zambezia and Cuamba in Niassa, Graciano said that the contractor had already started work. The plan calls for completion by August next year, but the construction company had promised delivery two months early, in June.

“The works stopped at one point due to natural disasters cutting the road, but the contractor is already back on the ground working,” he said.

The same applies to the works of the second phase of the Mocuba-Milange road, originally slated for completion last June but still unfinished because it was not possible to work during the rainy season.

“In fact, the contract term was until June 2, which, from a technical point of view, means June plus a three-month extension, and it is this period that we are now discussing. During August and September, construction has made progress in both directions, from Alto Benfica to Liciro and Milange to Geral. If work continues at the same pace, we believe that the work will be completed by the end of the year,” Graciano said.

Source: Noticias