Kanzombi, a vital road for the commune of Lukemi in Kikwit, has been in a state of neglect for almost ten years. Formerly used as an access road for agricultural products from Kipuka, Kibangu and other regions, the road is now cut by several meters of long erosion at the level of the district of the same name.
This situation has now isolated the municipality of Lukemi, making access impossible for vehicles and dangerous even for motorcycles. Residents are desperate and many have tried to alert government authorities and local leaders, but no response.
Faced with this critical situation, some residents of Kikwit launched the initiative “Telema Kanzombi” (Get up Kanzombi) with the aim of raising funds for the rehabilitation of the road. So far, nearly 8 million Congolese francs have been raised thanks to financial contributions from people of good will, churches and schools.
In 2019, the provincial government had already allocated a large sum for road works, but this was used to deal with public health emergencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Laurent Bwenia, president of the civil society of Kikwit, it is essential that the government finds the funds of the PDU project, initially intended for the rehabilitation of the road of Kanzombi, and that it reallocates them to this cause.
The Kanzombi district, now cut off from the rest of the city, is home to a large number of schools, churches, health centers, hospitals, pharmacies and markets. The rehabilitation of the road is therefore essential to allow the community to regain its access to these vital services.
While waiting for concrete action from the authorities, the inhabitants of Kikwit continue to fight for the rehabilitation of the Kanzombi road. They hope that their efforts will be heard and that the road will finally be restored, thus allowing the community of Lukemi to regain its economic dynamism and its connection with the rest of the city.
It is crucial that local and national governments become aware of the importance of this road for the population and that they put in place concrete measures for its rehabilitation. The restoration of the Kanzombi road would not only be a means of facilitating the movement of goods and people, but also a symbol of the government’s commitment to the development and well-being of local communities