Maputo, 8 Jul (AIM) – The Municipality of Vilankulo, in the southern Mozambican province of Inhambane, lacks funds to restore its coastal zone after it was affected by the passage of Tropical Storm “Filipo”, which hit the southern region of the country last March.
The strong winds combined with high tides destroyed the seafront of Vilankulo beach, opened craters and destroyed the trees that used to protect the seafront.
According to the mayor of Vilamkulo, Quinito Vilankulo, cited by the independent paper “O País”, the municipality only has 40,000 meticais (626 dollars, at the current exchange rate) available in its coffers, which is a ridiculously small amount.
It is difficult to believe that a municipality, which collects taxes from its residents, only has 40,000 meticais available for a huge amount of work, which would normally require millions of dollars.
“All the municipality has so far is just 40,000 meticais, the result of contributions from the municipal citizens”, said the mayor. “The contribution movement was launched at the end of March this year and by 30 June, only 40,000 meticais had been collected for the rehabilitation of the waterfront. The municipality will continue to knock on doors in
search of funding”, he said.
According to those who live on the seafront, Vilankulo has lost the beauty it once possessed. The destruction of the seafront threatens several houses with collapse, as well as killing off instead the businesses of several families who used the area to earn some money by selling food and drinks to tourists.
“The sea has washed away all the sand, making the area impenetrable. Those who don’t have a suitable vehicle are forced to drive around for more than two kilometers because the waterfront is destroyed”, one resident said.
(AIM)
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