Title: The extension of Kinshasa: a new lease of life for the Congolese capital
Introduction :
The city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been facing numerous urban problems for decades, such as monstrous traffic jams and untimely power cuts. Faced with this situation, President Félix Tshisekedi considered the construction of a new city in the communes of Maluku and Nsele. This Kinshasa extension project, worth 4 billion US dollars, aims to meet the needs of the population, particularly in terms of employment. In this article, we will explore the different aspects of this project and its potential impact on the Congolese capital.
The objectives of the project:
The main objective of the extension of Kinshasa is to relieve congestion in the Congolese capital by redistributing the population in a new city. This initiative aims to create new employment opportunities, with more than 150,000 jobs planned during and after the completion of the project. In addition, this extension will help resolve some current urban problems, such as flooding, poorly laid roads and fragmented plots.
The characteristics of the new city:
The new city of Kinshasa will occupy an area of 30,000 hectares and will be developed in several phases over a period of four years. Of these 30,000 hectares, 10,000 will be devoted to an agropolis, aiming to ensure food autonomy for the new city. The remaining 20,000 hectares will be used for the construction of housing, administrative buildings and commercial spaces. The housing will be built according to international standards, with urban planning respecting the needs of the population. In addition, particular attention will be paid to the improvement of roads, the provision of drinking water and the stability of electricity supply.
The project realization process:
To carry out this ambitious project, President Tshisekedi created a structure dedicated to the supervision of the project, including a strategic supervision committee, a steering committee and permanent coordination. The funds necessary to carry out the project come from partners, promoters and the government, which will play the role of regulator. In order to guarantee transparency and avoid any embezzlement, the funding will be directly managed by the promoters and paid into the beneficiaries’ accounts.
The implications for Kinshasa:
The expansion of Kinshasa will have a significant impact on the Congolese capital. In addition to relieving congestion in the city and resolving certain urban problems, it will also allow the relocation of ministries and institutions to the new city. This will allow a better distribution of administrative activities and balanced development of the capital.. In addition, the installation of an agropole will promote the food autonomy of the new city, thus reducing dependence on the outside world.
Conclusion :
The expansion of Kinshasa represents a major opportunity for the Congolese capital. This ambitious project aims to meet the needs of the population in terms of employment and better living conditions. By redistributing the population in a new city, the government hopes to relieve congestion in Kinshasa and resolve some persistent urban problems. However, the implementation of this project will require rigorous monitoring and transparent management of funds to ensure its success. The future of Kinshasa becomes clearer with this extension, breathing new life into the Congolese capital.