The Mozambican government needs a further 50 million US dollars in order to complete the new sanitation system for the central city of Beira, reports Friday’s issue of the Maputo daily “Noticias”.On Thursday the 60 per cent of the system so far concluded was handed over to the Beira Autonomous Sanitation Services, which is responsible for the operation of the system. 61 kilometres of sewage pipes have been built or renovated, plus 11 pumping stations, four elevation stations and six outlets to the sea. But a further 50 kilometres of piping remains to be completed.The cost of the first phase of the sanitation project was 62.65 million euros (about 88.3 million US dollars), of which 59.95 million euros came from the European Union’s European Development Fund (EDF).The EU is also interested in financing the second phase, but first wants to discuss the matter with other possible partners, such as the World Bank. EU representative Alexandre Serres said “there has not yet been a final decision, because there are other donors interested”.Serres thought that the partial conclusion of the sanitation project was a significant step in poverty production and moved the country nearer to attaining the Millennium Development Goals. Improved sanitation in Beira, he said, would contribute to reducing the spread of water-borne diseases, and the risks of flooding during the rainy season.National Director of Water Jaime Matsinhe, who represented the government at the Thursday ceremony, said that, although the work done so far was a victory for Beira, more effort had to be undertaken and funds mobilized to rehabilitate the remaining 50 kilometres of pipingThe mayor of Beira, Daviz Simango, called on Beira residents to collaborate in maintaining the new system. “This work cost a lot of money and sacrifice”, he said. “This work will save lives, because it will reduce the spread of disease. Let’s ensure we conserve this undertaking”.
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