Mozambique's long road to recovery
Updated: Jul 11, 2019
As in many other countries around the world, funding for the building of new roads, or the refurbishment of existing roads is never enough. Add the deadliest tropical cyclone recorded in the South-West Indian Ocean basin into the mix and you will find yourself in the same position as the authorities in Mozambique.
The southern African country was hit by a devastating cyclone in March this year, impacting more than 1.85 million people and causing an estimated $2-$3 billion dollars of damage in the affected countries. In Mozambique, Idai was responsible for the deaths of 602 people in Mozambique, 634 in Zimbabwe and 60 in Malawi.
Ângelo Macuácua, CEO of the Road Fund for Mozambique told the Infrastructure Exchange that there just aren't enough funds to undertake all the necessary maintenance and repairs needed, more so since Cyclone Idai swept across the Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Already the Mozambican Road Fund spends in the region of $96.2 million annually on road maintenance. Macuácua says, however, that in excess of half a billion dollars is needed to repair the damage done by Idai.
The Government has met with its cooperation partners to work on a harmonised matrix for the reconstruction needs of the areas affected by Cyclone Idai and the floods in central and northern Inhambane.
According to Macuácua, this plan will cover works that were in progress and are likely to be revised amounts contracted with the different contractors.
"This will require an additional financial effort to the amounts that had been contracted because this is an event that was out of the initial forecasts that was made when determining the costs."
Do you want to hear more about the plans and needs for Mozambique? Ângelo Macuácua, CEO of the Road Fund for Mozambique will be speaking at the Africa Road Infrastructure and Investment Congress in September. Register today by clicking here to ensure you are there to hear more about this and other key strategies, opportunities and challenges affecting Africa's road sector.
