For more than two years, the district of Nacala-Porto in Nampula Province has been operating without functioning traffic lights, continuing to face serious challenges in traffic management. The traffic signals were vandalized during protests linked to the election results and, to date, have not been replaced, raising concerns among motorists and pedestrians.
Among the most critical locations are the intersections near the Municipal Cemetery and Fernão Veloso Beach, the junction between Mathapue Market and Nacala General Hospital, as well as the intersection of Julius Nyerere and Eduardo Mondlane avenues in the Belmonte area. Several road accidents have been recorded at these locations, particularly involving motorcycle riders.
Some residents interviewed by MozaNorte on Wednesday afternoon said that road traffic has become increasingly dangerous.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a foreign exchange dealer operating along Eduardo Mondlane Avenue, the main route connecting the city to its outskirts, said that motorcycle accidents occur almost every day. According to the interviewee, the absence of traffic lights is one of the main contributing factors, as drivers previously respected the right of way when the signals were operational, a practice that is no longer consistently observed.
Meanwhile, Assa Ussene, a resident of Nauaia neighborhood and a vendor at the local market, said that the intersection in that area has also witnessed frequent accidents due to the lack of functioning traffic lights. He appealed to the relevant authorities to restore the traffic signals in order to improve road safety.
In addition to the absence of traffic lights, local residents say that the lack of traffic police officers at the main intersections may also be contributing to the rising number of road accidents.
So far, the relevant authorities have not announced a date for the replacement of the vandalized traffic lights. (Gabriel Cassimo)
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