Maputo, Mozambique, 28 May – The Japanese government has donated US$15.5 million for construction of five bridges on secondary and tertiary roads in the Mozambican provinces of Zambezia and Tete, according to the Friday edition of Mozambican newspaper Notícias.

The paper, which cites a statement from the Japanese embassy in Mozambique, reported that the donation agreement would be signed Monday in Maputo by the Mozambican minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Alcinda Abreu, and the Japanese ambassador to Mozambique, Tatsuya Miki.

The statement said that although Zambezia and Tete provinces were significant because of their high levels of agricultural production, the fact that the bridges were not in use had been an obstacle to selling agricultural products and to the development of regional economic activities.

“It is hoped, that as a result of implementing the project, the issues of access during the rainy season, road safety and stability of road traffic will be addressed, as well as contributing to re-launching social and economic activities and improving the life of their populations,” the statement said. (macauhub)