Title: Vehicle fires in the North Kivu and Ituri regions: economic operators call for urgent measures to ensure road safety
Introduction
Since January 2023, the regions of North Kivu and Ituri have been the scene of numerous transport vehicle fires. Economic operators in these two provinces denounce this situation, which leads to increasing insecurity on the roads and compromises trade. In a memorandum submitted to the governors of Ituri and North Kivu, the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC) of the Beni-Lubero group calls for urgent measures to secure these regions and rehabilitate damaged roads. This article examines the challenges faced by economic operators and the solutions proposed to ensure road safety.
Persistent insecurity
Economic operators in North Kivu deplore the persistence of insecurity on the Mambasa-Komanda-Luna sections in Ituri and Kanyabayonga-Rutsuru in North Kivu. Attacks by armed groups have set fire to more than a hundred vehicles since the start of the year. The consequences are disastrous both economically and for the safety of road users.
Dilapidated roads exposed to attacks
According to economic operators, the dilapidation of roads is an aggravating factor which exposes vehicles to attacks by armed groups. In addition, the blocking of the movement of goods and people by the M23 on the Kanyabayonga-Rutshuru axis in North Kivu worsens the situation. Companies in the transport sector are therefore calling for the rehabilitation of roads as well as the redeployment of military forces to guarantee the safety of users.
Proposed solutions
Faced with these challenges, economic operators are calling for the resumption of military escort to ensure the safety of convoys on the roads. They also call for an increase in military numbers and the deployment of new units of the armed forces to counter armed groups. Furthermore, the reopening of traffic between Kanyabayonga and Rutshuru is strongly desired in order to facilitate trade.
On the economic front, economic operators underline the importance of rehabilitating the Ndalia-Katabey-Otmaber Idohu and Komanda Lolwa sections. They also call for regular maintenance of these roads to ensure their passability.
Conclusion
Vehicle fires in the North Kivu and Ituri regions represent a real challenge for economic operators and compromise the economic development of these regions. Urgent measures must be taken to ensure road safety, rehabilitate damaged sections and counter armed groups. These actions, combined with increased military deployment and collaboration with the authorities, will create an environment conducive to trade and improve the security situation in these regions.