Portions of Mozambique’s five national roads will be delivered under concession to private operators to ensure their permanent maintenance and improved safety, the country’s National Road Administration (ANE) has announced.
The ANE announced that the sections to be delivered to private operators are Marracuene-Xai-Xai, on National Road (EN) 1, which is 185 kilometres long, Matola-Boane-Namaacha, on EN2, with 65.9 kilometres, Impaputo-Goba, on EN3 , with 31 kilometres, Nampula-Namialo-Lúrio-Metoro, on EN1 and Nacala-Namialo, on EN12, both with 415 kilometres.
The ANE statement, quoted by Mozambican newspaper Notícias, said that the public tender now launched aims to select domestic or foreign companies with experience in the area, with which contracts must be signed for a maximum period of 30 years.
The management of almost the entire Mozambican road network is ensured by the government through ANE, which, faced with a shortage of funds, often fails to meet the recommended maintenance schedule, which has contributed to the poor condition of many roads.
The Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, João Osvaldo Machatine, in a 2018 visit to EN4, acknowledged that the road linking Maputo and South Africa is an example of a concession, where all aspects have worked as expected.
EN4 was delivered as a concession in May 1997 to Trans African Concessions (TRAC), for 30 years, the company that paid for its construction, guarantees its maintenance and collects revenue from tolls.
Source: Macauhub