The road sections connecting the towns of Bunia, NiaNia and Kisangani, located in the provinces of Ituri, Haut-Uele and Tshopo, are currently in an advanced state of disrepair. The heavy rains which fall regularly in this region have made the road difficult to pass, thus causing numerous logistical and economic problems for the inhabitants of these areas.
The Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC) of Bafwambaya, based in the territory of Mambasa, expressed its dissatisfaction with the indifference of the authorities regarding the urgent rehabilitation of these sections. Indeed, over a distance of 120 kilometers, the roads are dotted with quagmires which make traffic extremely difficult, if not impossible. This situation has a direct impact on the supply of basic necessities in the region’s large cities, leading to scarcity and an increase in prices.
Traders and the local population suffer the consequences of this situation, with goods deteriorating en route and prices increasing in local markets. Civil society actors also mobilized to ask the government to intervene quickly and rehabilitate these road sections in order to facilitate trade between the three provinces and improve the living conditions of the population.
It is urgent that measures be taken to remedy this situation, in order to guarantee the fluidity of trade and to allow the inhabitants of these regions to benefit from basic necessities at affordable prices. The rehabilitation of the Bunia-NiaNia-Kisangani and NiaNia-Isiro road sections must be a priority for the competent authorities, in order to support the economic and social development of these provinces.
The population and economic players in the region are awaiting concrete intervention from the government to rehabilitate these roads and thus promote better access to essential goods and services. Let us hope that the authorities will respond to these calls and take urgent measures to rehabilitate these dilapidated road sections, in order to improve the quality of life and support economic development in these regions.