THE World Bank is to provide Mozambique with around $1.6bn in financing for the implementation of various public infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges, water supply and sanitation systems, water resource management infrastructure and post-disaster reconstruction.
Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources Carlos Mesquita, disclosed this earlier this week during the Annual Meeting of the World Bank, whose objective was to discuss details of development and management of project components which present challenges in terms of environmental and social policies.
Mesquita said that, although the matter is not new, it is not yet being properly implemented by the various stakeholders in the country’s project development chain.
‘Mozambique has decided to adopt environmental and social safeguards in all projects,’ Minister Mesquita explained. ‘To this end, there are issues to be observed, such as the training of human resources to deal with the matter and to understand how Mozambican communities interpret and react to these aspects, as we note that clashes can occur due to lack of knowledge on both sides, if the traditional values and cultures are not in line with what is enshrined in the project.’
Carlos Mesquita said that his Ministry was developing a centre of excellence that would encompass various divisions, such as works, staff management, project analysis, environmental and social safeguards, so that the sector is trained and can expand the practices country-wide.
‘So we will continue to work with the academies regarding the training of more staff, to provide them with the skills to respond to these demands,’ Mesquita stressed.
Among the projects ongoing in the area of roads and bridges, the minister highlighted those for the integrated development of rural roads, safer roads for socio-economic integration in Nampula (Zambézia) and trade and connectivity in Southern Africa.
‘In the area of water supply and sanitation, projects are underway for urban sanitation, emergency recovery and resilience post-cyclones Idai and Kenneth,’ he said.
With regard to the management of water resources, Carlos Mesquita said that plans for urban water security have been drawn up, as well as those for improving the water storage infrastructure for water security and resilient economic growth in Mozambique.
Finally, with regard to housing, Minister Mesquita highlighted that the urban development programme in northern Mozambique is underway, notably in Nacala, Nampula and Montepuez.