Asphalting work on the stretch of road between the districts of Malema, in Nampula province, and Cuamba, in Niassa, was officially relaunched on Monday (21).

The infrastructure, 35 kilometers long (21 in Niassa and 14 in Nampula), was paralyzed for more than seven years due to a lack of funds and is now being resumed with an investment of 24.4 million euros from the European Union, channelled through the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The work is expected to last two years and is part of the plan to revitalize the EN13, a strategic corridor for commercial integration between the interior and the Port of Nacala.

Speaking at the groundbreaking, the Minister for Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, stressed that the work represents a decisive turning point in the connectivity of northern Mozambique. "The paving of this stretch will boost the local and national economy. It will facilitate the flow of agricultural production, improve mobility and create between 800 and 1,500 direct and indirect jobs," he said, quoted by the Mozambican daily Rigor newspaper.

The rehabilitation of the Malema - Cuamba road is seen as key to the development of the north of the country, promoting the movement of people and goods, access to markets and services, and strengthening inter-provincial links in one of the regions with the greatest agricultural potential in Mozambique.

In this context, the Secretary of State for Niassa, Silva Livone, guaranteed that the work would be closely monitored. "We will pay full attention to the execution of this work. We want quality, transparency and compliance with deadlines," he stressed.

(Photo DR)