Mondlane believes damages caused by floods is result of failed governance

Maputo, 16 Jan (AIM) – The leader of the National Alliance for a Free and Autonomous Mozambique (Anamola), former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, believes that the damage caused by heavy rains and floods is the result of failed governance, which has been “diverting funds” that should be invested in the construction of resilient infrastructures.

According to Mondlane, who was speaking to reporters on Thursday, in Maputo, the deaths caused by the current storms and floods are the result of “failed governance and corruption”, while the available funds should be used for resilient projects.

“Each the year, the sanitation in the country is getting worse and we also have other critical issues related to garbage collection. It is a problem of politics, it is a problem of management, and it is a problem of corruption. It is important to know that the situation we are experiencing is the result of failed governance, governance that has diverted funds from the pockets of every Mozambican”, he claimed.

According to the country’s relief agency, the National Disasters Management Institute (INGD), heavy rains have affected more than 123,000 people in less than a month, causing eight deaths and the destruction of 4,000 homes.

The INGD currently maintains 10 accommodation centres, which are housing nearly 4,500 displaced people. The information refers to the period between 21 December and 13 January.

According to Mondlane, the gigantic rubbish dump in the outlying Maputo neighbourhood of Hulene, is another serious problem that the government should have solved.

The dump in question caused, in February 2018, the death of 17 people when it collapsed as a result of torrential rains that hit Maputo city that month. The dump had been allowed to grow into a malodourous monster which towered over the houses built in its shadow.

“The dump is contaminating the land and it continues to threaten the lives of those who live in the vicinity. This dump has been exceeding its storage capacity for 15 years”, Mondlane said.

Mondlane revealed that his party will present to the Assembly of the Republic, the country’s parliament, a bill on the creation of a Climate Emergency Fund, which will be responsible for gathering funds to respond to natural disasters.

“As a concrete measure to help those who were affected by the floods, we have opened up our political delegations for shelter. It means that those who lost their houses as a result of the floods can use our delegations as their shelters. We welcome the victims of this heavy rain”, he said.

On Wednesday, the National Meteorology Institute (INAM) issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and high winds. The storms are expected to last until at least Saturday evening. The areas most at risk are the central provinces of Sofala and Tete, but the INAM warning also covers Gaza, Manica, Inhambane and Maputo.
(AIM)
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