Maputo — The Millennium Challenge Account-Mozambique is to launch tenders, before December, for the implementation of projects, budgeted at 95 million US dollars, in the central and northern regions of the country.

Millennium general director Paulo Fumane said these projects are to cover areas such as land and forest mapping, treatment of the lethal yellowing disease that affects coconut palm plantations, improving water supply management systems, and rehabilitation of access roads.

He said that work to that end must start this August with technical and financial viability studies and, according to the plan, all current preparations should be completed by December.

"We want tenders for all projects to be launched by December, with winners identified, contracts negotiated and signed and, in many cases, with work started in the field", said Fumane.

A tender worth 78 million US dollars for consultancy services is to be launched this August, to conduct technical and financial viability studies of all projects.

Fumane explained that studies are to be conducted for the improvement of the water supply and sanitation systems in the cities of Nampula, Quelimane and Pemba. Other studies for water supply and sanitation projects will cover the towns of Nacala, Monapo, Mocuba, Gurue and Montepuez.

The Millennium Challenge Account is promoting a conference in Maputo on Wednesday, aimed at divulging the projects to the local business community.

"We would like the Mozambican business community to pay special attention to this package, particularly the consultancy and construction companies, because these are important projects", said Fumane.

The Millennium Challenge Account-Mozambique, created in 2007, by an agreement between the governments of Mozambique and of the United States, counts on a 500 million US dollars fund to be used over five years.