What You Need to Know
Heavy rains in Matola Municipality have flooded the newly inaugurated Intaka-Boquisso road, disrupting traffic and raising concerns about drainage infrastructure. Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, acknowledged the flooding as a stress test for the new road and emphasized the need for immediate improvements to the drainage system.
Africa-Press – Mozambique. Heavy rains that fell over the weekend—particularly on Sunday—flooded the newly inaugurated Intaka-Boquisso road in Matola Municipality, Maputo Province. The road, which was officially handed over to the community on December 20, became impassable at several points just 24 hours after its inauguration, causing major disruptions for motorists and pedestrians for several hours.
On Tuesday, December 23, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, acknowledged the incident, stating that the rainfall served as an unexpected but timely stress test for the infrastructure. He emphasized that the situation “came at the right moment” and should prompt immediate attention from the contractor, China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CJIC), which remains on-site for finishing works.
According to local sources, critical flooding occurred at several locations, notably:
The “first roundabout” on Maputo’s Circular Road, where the new Intaka-Boquisso road begins;
The neighborhoods of Gogogo and Chilengue;
The area in front of CJIC’s construction yard.
A team from the newspaper Carta toured the approximately 7-kilometer stretch and visited the flooded sections. Along the way, they spoke with affected residents, including Artur Zandamela, a resident of Intaka II, whose home was inundated. He explained that floodwaters lingered for over 10 hours due to inadequate drainage.
“After Sunday’s rain, the road was severely flooded, and the water only receded about 15 hours later. The gutters and drainage channels are too few and too small—they can’t handle the runoff quickly enough,” Zandamela said. He urged authorities to increase the number and capacity of drainage systems.
Another resident, Manito Nguluve, a semi-collective transport operator, echoed these concerns, blaming inefficient drainage infrastructure.
“I believe the problem lies in the poor sewage and drainage system. When it rains, water accumulates on the road—especially in Gogogo and near the Chilengue terminal. Aside from that, the road itself is excellent, and we welcomed it with open hearts,” he said.
A local merchant, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported seeing significant flooding at the first roundabout. According to the source, CJIC had to deploy pumps to remove the standing water—a claim later confirmed by a CJIC worker who also requested anonymity, citing lack of authorization to speak to the press. The worker clarified that, although inaugurated, the road is still undergoing final finishing works, and the recent rain highlighted urgent needs for drainage improvements.
Government Response
Minister Matlombe addressed the issue directly on Tuesday, framing the rainfall as a real-world test of the new infrastructure.
“When it rains, flooding can occur due to clogged or poorly maintained ditches—but in this case, since the road is brand new and the contractor is still on-site, it’s a perfect opportunity to make necessary corrections,” he stated.
He acknowledged that the flooding was triggered by exceptionally heavy rains, despite the road being equipped with a drainage system. The minister assured the public that the government is closely monitoring the situation and will require CJIC to rectify any deficiencies in the drainage design or execution.
Furthermore, Matlombe noted that even after handover, CJIC remains responsible for road maintenance during the warranty period—a standard provision in infrastructure contracts.
The incident has sparked public debate about the quality of recent infrastructure projects, but authorities insist corrective measures will be implemented swiftly to prevent future disruptions during the rainy season.
The Intaka-Boquisso road was inaugurated on December 20, aiming to improve connectivity in Matola Municipality, Maputo Province. However, the recent heavy rains have exposed vulnerabilities in the infrastructure, particularly regarding drainage capacity, which has become a pressing issue for local residents and authorities alike.
Historically, Mozambique has faced challenges with infrastructure development, often struggling to keep pace with environmental factors such as heavy rainfall. The government’s response to these issues is crucial in ensuring that newly constructed roads can withstand adverse weather conditions and serve the community effectively.
