Maputo: Drainage Works May Extend Beyond October Deadline

Maputo Municipal Council has not yet confirmed whether it will approve the request, as the contractual deadline approaches and concerns remain over the quality of some sections already completed.

During a visit to the works, Maputo Mayor Razaque Manhique said the municipality’s priority is to ensure that the project is completed to the required quality standards, without committing, for now, to a new completion date.

“The important thing is not to bring new deadlines, but to see the work completed with quality, the quality that people deserve,” he said.

Manhique acknowledged that the works had been suspended for a considerable period, a situation that may affect the original schedule. However, he argued that this should not be used as justification for indefinitely extending the project.

According to the mayor, the pace of work must be accelerated in order to improve mobility conditions in the city as quickly as possible and reduce the difficulties faced by residents.

The quality of the interventions is another concern raised by the municipality. Some sections already show deficiencies, and the authorities say they will not formally accept the project until the identified problems are corrected.

“There are points that show some deficiencies in quality, and fortunately the contractor has not left. We are working with them and these problems must be corrected, because we will not accept the work in its current condition,” Manhique said.

The mayor also acknowledged that the coming rainy season could expose additional problems in some of the areas under intervention, but stressed that the project is still in progress.

Following the visit, the Municipal Council is expected to meet again with the contractor to assess the progress of the works and discuss a possible revision of the completion deadline.