Kinshasa International Fair: rehabilitation work stopped due to differences between the parties
The rehabilitation works of the International Fair of Kinshasa (Fikin) have been suspended. This decision follows the persistent differences between the Turkish company Milvet and the Congolese party represented by the management committee of this tourist site.
According to sources close to the case, the Turkish construction company hired for this work wanted to obtain more than it had agreed. Indeed, according to some officials of the Fikin, this construction company required a camp of an extent of 6 hectares which went from the Plazza space to the esplanade of the Fikin for an occupation of 10 years. Moreover, it would seem that the Turks are ready to buy their headquarters in the event of an extension of the rehabilitation works.
These details raised concerns among Fikin managers who considered these requirements disproportionate. Indeed, some Fikin officials interviewed said that the Turkish company Milvet would be willing to pay 60,000 US dollars per month for the rental of the six hectares to house their headquarters.
The Turkish firm Milvet had begun rehabilitation work on the Fikin, emptied of its occupants and drinking establishments. The project notably provided for the construction of an exhibition centre, an amusement park, a shopping centre, a hotel, a multifunctional arena with 20,000 seats and a conference.
The site would have been backfilled and the containers of the Turkish firm Milvet were seen with the construction materials necessary for the continuation of the work. However, the persistent differences prevented the continuation of the rehabilitation works of the Fikin.
For the moment, no date has been communicated as to the resumption of work. The parties involved in the project must still meet to find a compromise in order to allow the continuation of the rehabilitation work of the International Fair of Kinshasa.
In conclusion, despite the promises and the commitment of the parties involved in the rehabilitation of the Kinshasa International Fair, the differences persist, thus affecting the continuation of the work, suspended until further notice.