Title: The construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the DRC: an ambitious program for grassroots development
Introduction :
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is engaged in a vast infrastructure construction and rehabilitation program as part of the Grassroots Development Program for the 145 Territories (PDL-145T). This program, supervised by the Congolese government, aims to improve local development by constructing and renovating health centers, schools and administrative buildings across the country. Three agencies, namely UNDP, BCeCo and CFEF, were responsible for carrying out these works in different provinces of the DRC. However, differences in performance have been observed between these agencies, giving rise to reflections on the effectiveness of their management.
UNDP, BCeCo and CFEF: key partners in grassroots development
Under the PDL-145T, UNDP, BCeCo and CFEF were designated as the agencies responsible for the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in different provinces of the DRC. Each of these agencies was assigned a specific number of provinces and territories, with specific objectives to achieve. The UNDP is in charge of nine provinces with 54 territories, the BCeCo also takes care of nine provinces comprising 48 territories, while the CFEF is responsible for seven provinces and 43 territories.
Performance varies depending on the agency
According to information from the Ministry of Planning, responsible for supervising the program, BCeCo displays the best results with a work execution rate of at least 80%. It therefore far exceeded the objectives set for the first phase of the program. The CFEF follows closely, with an execution rate of around 60%. However, UNDP is lagging behind, with only 47% of the work completed, and a quality of work that does not meet the required technical specifications.
The challenges of construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the DRC
The construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the DRC faces many challenges. These include budgetary constraints, logistical complexity in a country with continental dimensions, corruption and poor resource management. These challenges can explain the differences in performance between the agencies responsible for carrying out the works.
Conclusion :
The infrastructure construction and rehabilitation program under PDL-145T in the DRC is an ambitious project aimed at promoting grassroots development. Although progress has been made, improvements are needed, particularly with regard to the management and quality of works.. It is essential that the agencies involved in this program work together to overcome obstacles and achieve the objectives set, in order to guarantee sustainable and inclusive development for the Congolese populations.