The Millennium Bim bank, one of Mozambique's main banks, announced Wednesday that it will resume activities in Palma, a district affected by armed attacks in northern Mozambique, when security conditions are created. 

"I believe that as soon as the district returns to normalcy and all the conditions are in place, the population and all the state institutions are returning, we will probably also resume our activities," said José Mesquita, coordinator of the bank's northern zone. 

The official was speaking to the media during a visit to Palma to survey the damage caused by insurgent groups to the bank's branch in that district. 

The attack on Palma, near the gas project under construction, took place on March 24, causing dozens of deaths and injuries. 

The district hosts the natural gas exploration project led by Total, the largest private investment in Africa (around $25 billion), which has since been suspended due to insecurity in the region. 

According to José Mesquita, the internal part of the Palma branch office suffered the most damage in the aftermath of the attacks and, when conditions are right, it can be up and running in at least 45 days. 

"[The return will depend on] an evaluation that will have to be done when all the safety conditions are assured. There is no way we can have our employees here taking risks," he stressed. 

On the occasion, the coordinator advanced that the Mueda district branch was reopened on August 31.  

Armed groups have terrorized Cabo Delgado province since 2017, with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State. 

Lusa Agency