Parks and gardens in Maputo: Evaluation underway for upcoming public-private partnerships

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Parks and gardens in Maputo: Evaluation underway for upcoming public-private partnerships

2:13 CAT | 04 Apr 2018

File photo / 'O Pulmão', Malhangalene. Maputo in a photo from Jornal Domingo 2014

Maputo Municipal Council intends to give a face lift to its parks and public gardens, many of which look, to all extents and purposes, abandoned.

According to the municipal director of gardens and parks, Inocêncio Alberto, each of the sites is being surveyed prior to seeking partnerships for their rehabilitation.

“The city council wants to rehabilitate all the city’s green spaces of the, firstly by identifying what is needed to prepare the contract model with the partner,” he explained.

This is a measure that will appeal to the residents who use facilities such as the Malhangalene ‘Pulmão’ [‘Lung’] which has lost its sparkle and fitness for purpose over time.

Inora Nondo, who lives nearby, is saddened by the image the park presents nowadays, but still occasionally frequents the places where children played.

“Children like to play here because it’s free and a nice, airy place, but the swings and slides that used to be here have been ruined for a long time now. I’d like to see the ‘Pulmão’ like it was before,” she said.

Other visitors include students at Malhangalene’s São Vicente de Paulo School, but they sometimes leave because of the smell of urine caused by nearby ‘barracas’ customers.

“We like the shade of the trees here, but many of the drinkers at the barracas use the place as a urinal and drop litter here,” student Tesma Mucovale says.

Visitor Loidy Pacumelane would also like to see the place rehabilitated, and provided with better furniture.

The park was a few years ago associated with a private operator, who has not given the facility the attention promised.

Source: Notícias