Maputo, Mozambique, 27 April – the conclusion of extension work on the water distribution network in the cities of Maputo and Matola and the town of Buane within the next five years, will benefit over 830,000 people, according to Mozambican newspaper Notícias.

Launched Wednesday in Maputo by Prime Minister Luisa Diogo, the project for optimization and expansion of the water distribution system includes investments of US$95 million.

The project is jointly financed by the Mozambican government, with US$13.8 million, the European Investment Bank (US$31 million), the Netherlands (US$18 million), the European Commission (US$25 million) and the French Development Agency (US$6.6 million).

Nelson Beete, chairman of the board of the Fund for Investment and Water Supply, told the paper that the financing and project implementation agreements were signed in June last year and its execution is due to begin in 2008.

According to Beete, the project includes the construction of a new Water Treatment Plant in Umbeluzi, with a capacity of 96,000 cubic meters per day.

Water supply, which currently serves 670,000 people, will cover 1.5 million, an increase of 830,000 people. Coverage will increase from 40 percent to 73 percent of the total population, which estimates expect to be 2 million people in 2010.

The work will complement the new Distribution Center in Laulane, already underway. (macauhub)