The Francophonie games in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have sparked strong reactions due to the exorbitant costs associated with their organization. It was revealed that the national treasury spent US$324 million on these games, well beyond the initial forecast of US$48 million.
DRC Finance Minister Nicolas Kazadi highlighted that operational expenses increased from $12 million to $78 million, while infrastructure investments reached $246 million, compared to an initial forecast of $36 million. of dollars.
This cost explosion has been attributed to planning and management errors. The Minister of Finance pointed the finger at Isidore Kwandja, national director of Francophonie games, accused of having increased budgets without the approval of the steering committee.
However, the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) indicated that no misappropriation of public funds was noted at the level of the management of the national committee for games of the Francophonie. The IGF oversaw all financial operations and expressed satisfaction with the management of the event.
Isidore Kwandja, for his part, refuted the accusations and affirmed that his management of the games was rigorous, transparent and judicious. He also stressed that all financial operations were carried out under the supervision of the IGF.
Despite these declarations, providers and volunteers continue to claim overdue payments, which raises questions about the destination of the funds and their management.
This situation highlights the challenges and issues related to organizing large-scale events, particularly with regard to financial transparency and resource management. It is essential to put in place strict control mechanisms to avoid budget overruns and possible misappropriation of funds.
In conclusion, the Francophonie games in the DRC have been the subject of controversy due to the excessive costs of their organization. This case highlights the importance of transparent and rigorous management of public funds in the context of events of this scale, in order to guarantee public confidence and the success of the projects.