Bandundu airport: a symbol of degradation and neglect
In Kwilu province, in Bandundu, lies a sad sight: the local airport, once a symbol of connectivity and progress, is now reduced to ruins. The airstrip has become a grassy, sandy expanse, traversed by pedestrians, motorcyclists and even goats in search of grazing.
This deterioration has serious consequences for passenger safety. Despite the dangerous state of the runway, planes continue to land there, endangering the lives of their occupants. The situation pushed the new civil society of Bandundu to launch an appeal for help during the visit of the chairman of the board of directors of the Régie des Voies Aériens (RVA), Tryphon Kin Kiey Mulumba.
Ferdinand Tarita, the coordinator of the new civil society of Bandundu, expresses his distress at this situation: “Bandundu, as the capital of the province, deserves a modern airport infrastructure. Unfortunately, what we currently have is worrying. The airport is no more than a name, it has become a disgrace to our province. We therefore call on Kin Kiey Mulumba as Chairman of the Board to take necessary steps to modernize this airport and attract more airlines.”
The visit of the president of the board of directors of the RVA to Bandundu revealed the deplorable state of the track. Tryphon Kin-ke Mulumba shares the population’s concerns: “This runway represents a real danger. When landing, the planes’ tires must slip, but with this chaotic surface, an accident is inevitable. If a plane lands here, tires may burst, which could cause a fire. This is a safety issue for passengers.”
He also highlights the fear it can cause for passengers when their plane continues to shake after landing.
To deal with insecurity due to the presence of pedestrians and various vehicles on the track, Tryphon Kin-ke Mulumba proposes the construction of a wall to protect the RVA right-of-way. According to him, other airports, such as those of Lubumbashi, Kolwezi, Goma and Kisangani, have already adopted this solution to ensure air security.
The visit of the chairman of the board of directors of the RVA to Bandundu also aimed to inspect the infrastructure of the organization and the working conditions of its agents. The RVA commander in Bandundu raised the issue of the dispossession of part of the site by the provincial government.
In response to this concern, Tryphon Kin-ke Mulumba announces the creation of a commission to examine the concerns of agents. He also assures that the question of the spoliation of the RVA domain will be brought to the attention of the national authorities, in order to find a solution.
The visit of the chairman of the board of directors of the RVA to Bandundu marks an important turning point, as it is the first visit of a senior executive of the organization since 1994. This gives hope for the renovation long-awaited from the airport and the improvement of the working conditions of RVA agents.
However, it is essential that concrete steps are taken to modernize Bandundu Airport. This will not only ensure the safety of passengers, but also promote the economic development of the province by attracting more airlines and facilitating trade. The population of Bandundu deserves an airport infrastructure worthy of the name, and it is time for the authorities to take the necessary measures to achieve this essential improvement.