Mozambican president hails China-funded bridge

President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi referred on Thursday to the China-funded bridge across the river Incomati in Maputo Province as a clear indicator of development and the government's commitment toward better living conditions.

"Viva the Macaneta Bridge," said the president, saluting hundreds of people from Marracuene district as part of his 3-day visit there.

Built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) at a cost of around 15 million U.S. dollars, the bridge is a part of the Maputo ring road project, which is speeding up access between the capital Maputo and its neighboring regions.

The bridge was officially inaugurated in November last year, linking the tourism region of Macaneta and Marracuene, one of the seven districts in Maputo Province, which excludes the country's capital city Maputo.

The president spoke of a huge house under construction in the village headquarters that will be the National Health Institute. "It will serve the whole country and will be based here in Marracuene. How wonderful is that!" he said, highlighting the development of the district, which is a result of better road access.

Residents in Macaneta no longer have to wait for boarding the ferry boats to cross the river and business, particularly tourism, has been brisk since the completion of the bridge. Endit