Title: How to improve access to electricity: citizen mobilization in Barumbu, DRC
Introduction :
In the Funa 1 district, located in the municipality of Barumbu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the inhabitants are experiencing great difficulty in accessing electricity. Aware of this worrying situation, a group of citizens mobilized to reflect on the actions to be taken so that the neighborhood can benefit from its fundamental right to electricity, guaranteed by the Congolese constitution. This article reviews the community talk that was held recently, led by the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for the Monitoring of Reforms and Public Action (Corap), and explores the measures needed to remedy this situation.
The daily difficulties of the population:
The situation in the Funa 1 district is worrying. Residents, be they students, pupils, or housewives, face many challenges due to the lack of electricity. Students struggle to revise their lessons, mothers have to use charcoal to cook, and ironing clothes is done using body weight. Moreover, it is difficult to obtain fresh produce and trade in food under such conditions. The population also points to the phenomenon of the “single departure” which favors certain individuals to the detriment of the most disadvantaged, thus leading to years without electricity for certain inhabitants.
Citizen mobilization:
Faced with this situation, the inhabitants of Funa 1 came together and decided to act to assert their rights. Following a first forum for patriotic popular expression organized by Corap and the Congolese Standing Citizen Movement (MCDC), a committee was created to carry the demands of the population. Unfortunately, despite the steps taken, no significant improvement has been observed. This is why a sit-in in front of the office of the National Electricity Company (SNEL) of the commune is being prepared.
Actions needed:
So that the Funa 1 district can finally benefit from access to electricity, it is essential to put in place concrete actions. First of all, it is essential to involve local and national authorities in solving this problem. Dialogue and awareness must be privileged in order to make people understand the importance of electricity for the development of the district. Furthermore, it is crucial to find alternative solutions, such as solar energy, in order to temporarily compensate for the lack of electricity.
Conclusion :
The question of access to electricity is a major issue for the inhabitants of the Funa 1 district in Barumbu, in the DRC. Citizen mobilization and the search for concrete solutions are essential to improve the daily life of the population. Now is the time for the authorities to take action to guarantee the fundamental right to electricity for all. The Funa 1 situation should not be an isolated case, but rather a call to action for the whole of Congolese society.