The situation of road infrastructure in the Grand Kasaï area was addressed during an oral question with debate by elected officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Minister of State for Infrastructure, Alexis Gisaro, responded to the concerns expressed by 22 Honorable Senators.
Regarding the KANANGA – KALAMBA MBUJI Project, the Minister specified that the initial contract signed with CREC-7 had been replaced by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works, to give this project a national character. For the second contract signed with TOHA INVESTMENT, the works of the first phase should take 24 months, while those of the asphalting are planned for 36 months. Preliminary work should be finished in August 2023.
The Minister reassured the elected officials as to the feasibility of this commitment, taking into account the following elements:
– The 50 km already executed were during the rainy season, while the rest of the work will be carried out during the upcoming dry season.
– Three workshops will be mobilized to speed up the work, after the training of machine operators.
– The nature of the remaining soil is clayey and conducive to the smooth running of the work, unlike the one already carried out which was sandy.
The choice of BCECO as Project Owner’s Representative is explained by the desire to facilitate the procedures for the disbursement of funds. As for the financing of the axis, it covers the construction of two bridges and the studies for the asphalting of the axis Kananga (Matamba) – Kalamba mbuji.
Regarding the binding clauses, all the contracts signed include regulations in the event of disputes, obliging the parties to respect their commitments under penalty of sanctions.
This response from the Minister provides a better understanding of the situation of road infrastructure in Espace Grand Kasaï and the actions taken to remedy it.