295. With regards to the APR Panel on the need to ensure access to water in rural areas and improve sanitation, the country has improved access to water in rural areas which rate has increased from 54% in 2009 to 67% in the first semester of 2012. With this growth of coverage rate, over 2.848.000 citizens have reduced the distance to water sources. In relation to urban areas, the coverage rate increased from 60% to 70% in the same period. This growth ensured that over 730.980 citizens could have piped water in their yards. It is important to note that the Government made massive investments in irrigation systems in some districts in the context of National Irrigation Strategy. 296. In the area of rural sanitation, it was noted that there has been some progress in the sense that the coverage rate increased from 39% in 2009 to 43% in 2012 which clearly shows that over 1.840.500 citizens benefited from improved latrines. In relation to urban sanitation, the coverage rate increased from 50% to 53% in the same period and over 87.370 citizens have access to urban sanitation, that is, they benefit from improved latrines as well as improved environmental and sanitary conditions 35. With this progress in the two areas, (water and sanitation) the challenge is to expand their coverage in rural areas of the country. However, this coverage must be followed by improvement of quality of water supplied through Small Water Supply Systems (PSAA). 297. On the need for the country to use renewable energy, with the aim of minimizing the negative effects of increased use of petrol, the Government, adopted in 2009 bio-fuel policy and strategy as to promote the use of renewable sources of energy. It also approved Decree 58/2011 of 11 November which regulates the bio-fuel and its mixing with ordinary petrol. The country has also passed a presidential decree creating Inter-ministerial Commission on BioFuel. However, the effects of these policies can only be measured at long term. 298. With regards to the APR Panel´s recommendation to improve transport infrastructures, the Government rehabilitated the Sena Railway Line thus creating conditions for transportation of coal from the District of Moatize. Meanwhile, the Government rehabilitated National Road Number 1 (EN1) and other main roads including massive investments in the main corridors that connect Mozambique with the countries of the region, also connecting productive areas to consumer areas, which indeed has been improving significantly the access to market in particular to farmers, notwithstanding the fact that there is so much to be done to ensure better flow of production surplus between the production areas to consumers. 299. Furthermore, the Government embarked on the construction of the Nacala International Airport which will be concluded in 2013, rehabilitation of the Tete airport, improvement/extension of the airport of Vilanculos and the airport of Pemba is under rehabilitation. 300. With reference to the APR Panel recommendation on the need to promote shelter and access to land for citizens, over the last five years the sector of housing recorded moderate progress as a result of the Government effort. However, it is far from responding according specific needs of the majority of the population in Mozambique: youth. As an example, between 2009 and 2012, the Government promoted construction of new houses, encouraged urban settlements and the use of low cost construction material. In the same period, the Government set 89. 309 plots and promoted the construction of 20.313 houses.36 The Government also sold part of houses in Zimpeto Complex in Maputo, mainly to youth. 35 36 GdM, Mid Term Review of PQG -2010-2014, Maputo Idem 95