Mozambique: Maputo breaks ground on 14-kilometre stormwater drainage system, budgeted at €54 million

Maputo city this Thursday witnessed the laying of the first stone for a 14-kilometre-long stormwater drainage system to address flooding in the Polana Caniço “A” and “B” neighbourhoods, as well as Maxaquene “B,” “C,” and “D,” an infrastructure project that will benefit nearly 100,000 families. The project, valued at more than €54 million, is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael.

Minister Rafael stated that investing in urban drainage is no longer merely an engineering option but has become a strategic decision to protect people. The President of the Maputo Municipal Council, Rasaque Manhique, said that the laying of the first stone for the stormwater drainage system represents a structural turning point and marks the effective start of the rehabilitation of the Maxaquene and Polana Caniço neighbourhoods. Manhique added that the act demonstrates the Municipality of Maputo’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of its residents.

Meanwhile, the Italian Ambassador, Gabriel Annis, highlighted the partnership among the different entities in pursuit of the same objective. READ:The city that never dries and where flooding never sleeps: Maputo, Maputo