The Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, MOPHRH, Carlos Mesquita, has directed the concessionaire of National Road Number Four (EN4) and the National Roads Administration (ANE) to complete, respectively, the rehabilitation work on the Novare section up to the Tchumene Junction (10KM) and National Road Number Two (EN2), in Maputo province, by next September.

The guidance was given during the government official's recent working visit to the two sites, where he expressed concern about the delays in the two works resulting from the recent end of the rainy season, and where he also presented the new timetable created by the executors of the works, according to a note we had access to.

Carlos Mesquita said that the Novare section up to the Tchumene junction is a "critical point", because it affects traffic flow throughout the day, particularly in the mornings and afternoons. However, he believes that the situation will improve with the completion of the works.

"The traffic on that stretch is quite disruptive for those who frequently use the road, which is part of the main logistics and development corridor, but from what we have been able to ascertain from the contractor, we could have this work completed by September," he said, referring to the Novare to Tchumene junction.

He also pointed out that the EN4 concessionaire, Trans African Concessions (TRAC), is due to end its contract in four years' time. However, according to the contract, it must rehabilitate the road and may be interested in renewing the agreement.

"In some sections, between Moamba and Ressano Garcia, I can already see some signs of wear and tear and it is necessary to comply with what is stipulated in the contract, which provides for the complete rehabilitation of the road, three or four years before the end of the contract," concludes Mesquita.

It should be noted that the minister also visited the Emergency Works on the N2 Road - Section: Movene/Impaputo Junction (15km), the ongoing works on the N3 road at the bridge over the Nkalatchane River in Goba in the district of Boane, Maputo province, damaged by the rains.