Mozambique Needs $120 Million to Finance Its Water Sector, Minister Says

Mozambique said on Saturday that it needs US$150 million for its interventions in the area of water resources to respond to the development challenges facing the country, said the Public Works and Housing Minister, Felicio Zacarias after the World Bank launched the Strategy for Assistance to Water Resources in Mozambique between 2008 and 2011.

Zacarias said the World Bank has pledged to contribute US$35 million, while Mozambique and its other development partners will provide the remaining sum.

He explained that the launching of this strategy comes after the government has approved key guidelines, including a national water resource management strategy, a “Revised Water Resource Policy”, and a set of regulations on water licensing and concessions.

“These legal instruments were drafted, taking into account the most recent developments in water resources at world level, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, and in the country”, he said in a brief interview.

Zacarias added that the strategy also takes into account Mozambique’s hydrological characteristics, and it responds to the country’s vulnerability, notably its heavy dependence on rivers shared with other countries.

Nine major rivers flow through Mozambique and all but one of them rises from outside the country.

Source African Press Agency

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