Title: Local development programs in the DRC: When opacity harms the population
Introduction :
In a territory ravaged by war for several years, the establishment of the Local Development Program of 145 territories (PDL 145T) was supposed to bring a breath of hope to the population of Beni, in the province of North Kivu in the Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, according to local civil society, the opacity surrounding the execution of this program causes disappointment and frustration. In this article, we immerse you in the heart of this situation and explore the repercussions of this opacity on the local population.
Limited achievements:
According to Richard Kirimba, first vice-president of civil society in Beni, only a few construction projects for schools and health centers have been carried out under the PDL 145T. However, other areas such as road infrastructure, access to water, agro-pastoral development and electrification have remained neglected. This situation generated deep frustration among the population, who hoped to benefit from the spin-offs of this development programme.
Lack of information and opacity:
In addition to the limited achievements, the civil society of Beni also denounces the lack of information concerning the progress of the project. Opacity reigns over the procurement procedure and the details of program execution remain unclear. This lack of transparency penalizes not only the population, which remains in the dark about concrete progress, but also the politico-administrative authorities who are unable to provide clear information to their fellow citizens.
Recommendations for more transparency:
Faced with this situation, civil society in Beni is calling for in-depth investigations to shed light on the execution of PDL 145T. This approach aims to shed light on possible embezzlement and ensure more transparent management of the funds allocated to this program. The central coordination office (BCECO), in charge of carrying out the work, was contacted to clarify the situation. The population expects answers and concrete actions to guarantee the success of this development program.
Conclusion :
The opacity surrounding the execution of the Local Development Program of the 145 territories in Beni raises legitimate concerns within local civil society. While the population was expecting significant progress in various fields, it finds itself confronted with limited achievements and a glaring lack of information. It is essential to lift the veil on this situation in order to guarantee transparent management of the funds allocated to local development