Kanzombi, a road of crucial economic importance located in Lukemi commune, Kikwit town, has been abandoned for almost a decade. Formerly used as a passage for agricultural products from Kipuka, Kibangu, and other localities, this road is now cut off by erosion several meters long in the district bearing the name of Kanzombi.
This situation has seriously affected the lives of the inhabitants of this entity of the municipality of Lukemi, who find themselves isolated from the rest of the city, with impossible access by car and very dangerous on a motorcycle.
Despite multiple warnings from residents, the government and local officials have failed to repair the road and fill in the erosion. Residents have expressed their urgent need to rehabilitate this lifeline. The presence of erosion in front of their homes makes their daily life difficult. They demand the intervention of the authorities to fight against this erosion and restore the good condition of the road. Some also suggest the use of tractors and other equipment, pointing out that young locals would be ready to help with the work.
Faced with this situation, the provincial government recently provided 30 drums of fuel for the development of the road. However, this appears to be a temporary fix.
The “Telema Kanzombi” initiative was launched a few months ago by the residents of Kikwit to raise funds for the repair work. Since November 2022, nearly 8 million Congolese francs have been raised through contributions from residents, churches and schools in the region, according to Laurent Bwenia, president of Kikwit’s civil society.
It was also revealed that significant funds were allocated by the government in 2019 for this work, but it was used mainly for COVID-19 relief efforts.
According to Laurent Bwenia, to solve the problem of Kanzombi, the government should find the funds of the PDU project (Programme of Urban Development) granted by the World Bank and used for other purposes. He asks that this money be returned to allow the city to acquire such an important road.
The Kanzombi district, which is where the road is cut, is home to 157 schools, 201 churches, 42 health centers, 4 hospitals, 77 pharmacies, 3 large markets and 11 cells. The lack of a passable road has a direct impact on the lives of thousands of residents and seriously limits their access to essential infrastructure and services.
It is therefore imperative that the authorities take concrete measures to rehabilitate the Kanzombi road and remedy this situation which weighs heavily on the local population.. Collaboration between the government, the inhabitants and the various stakeholders is necessary to find sustainable solutions and ensure the development of this region