The Nampula provincial government has announced the construction of 16 new water supply systems this year, directly benefiting around 32,000 inhabitants. The initial target, set out in the Provincial Five Year Plan (PQP), foresaw 13 systems, but the number has now reached 18, surpassing the annual projections.

According to figures recently released by the Provincial Directorate of Public Works, and cited by the Rigor NewspaperThe distribution of the new systems covers two in Angoche, three in Moma, eight in Mogovolas, and one in each of the following districts: Eráti, Memba, Monapo and Ilha de Moçambique.

At the same time, of the 340 dispersed water sources planned for 2025, 228 have already been completed, guaranteeing access to drinking water for around 61,800 people in rural communities.

The provincial director of Public Works, Faquira Massalo, highlighted the institutional commitment to improving living conditions. "The results we are presenting today are a reflection of coordinated action, committed to improving people's living conditions. Exceeding the annual targets that had been set represents concrete progress towards universal coverage of water and sanitation services, especially in the most vulnerable areas," he said.

According to Massalo, the performance achieved is also due to the technical and financial support of partners such as the World Bank, UNICEF, SNV, Helvetas and the National Fund for Sustainable Development (FNDS), which have strengthened the sector's institutional and operational capacities.

Currently, the water supply coverage rate in Nampula is 42% in urban areas and 44.4% in rural areas. As far as sanitation is concerned, the province has 48.9% of coverage, benefiting approximately 3.33 million inhabitants, 2.2 million of whom live in rural areas.

Despite the progress made, Faquira Massalo warned that major challenges remain to ensure a sustainable and inclusive expansion of water and sanitation services, goals that remain priorities of the PQP and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

(Photo DR)