Mozambican President Daniel Chapo launched the MozCommunity project on Monday in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, a US$250 million initiative financed by the World Bank to strengthen social cohesion, promote economic opportunities and improve climate-resilient infrastructure in 56 districts across the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa.
Implemented by the Northern Integrated Development Agency (ADIN), the project provides for US$100 million to be invested during the first two years and the remaining US$150 million over the following six years, through three components: strengthening collaboration between the State and communities; promoting economic opportunities and employment; and improving access to climate-resilient infrastructure.
At the launch ceremony, Chapo said the programme represented another step in the Government’s strategy to bring resources and planning closer to communities, arguing that “the people are in the district, and that is where financial resources should go”.
According to the President, the initiative will finance cash transfers to vulnerable families, vocational training, small and medium-sized economic initiatives led by young people and women, as well as psychosocial support and gender-based violence prevention measures.
In terms of infrastructure, the programme provides for the construction and rehabilitation of schools, health centres and posts, water supply systems, markets, administrative buildings and access roads, particularly in areas affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.
The President called on local managers to ensure that projects are implemented on time and to a high standard, warning that there would be no place in the Government for officials who waste public resources or jeopardise investments.
“Project managers who waste resources and compromise the future of this country through mismanagement will have no place in this Government,” he reiterated.
Chapo thanked the World Bank, particularly its President, Ajay Banga, for approving the financing, saying the speed of the process demonstrated the strength of the partnership between Mozambique and the institution.
The President said MozCommunity was aligned with the National Development Strategy 2025-2044 and the Integrated Northern Development and Resilience Programme (PREDIN), arguing that the ultimate goal was to turn public investment into concrete opportunities for communities.
“Development belongs to all Mozambican people,” he said.
Chapo said MozCommunity should represent a new stage of hope for thousands of families in the north and contribute to a “more united, resilient and prosperous” country.
Source: AIM
