**In search of drinking water in Mbuji-Mayi: an alarming situation**
The town of Mbuji-Mayi, in the province of Kasaï-Oriental, has been facing a critical situation since Monday February 12: many neighborhoods are no longer served with drinking water. REGIDESO, the region’s main water supplier, reported a breakdown at its Lukelenge collection plant, causing supply difficulties.
The city’s residents are forced to mobilize to find drinking water, a task that has become arduous and exhausting. The streets of Mbuji-Mayi are full of women, children and street vendors looking for precious resources. Testifying to the difficulty of the situation, a resident says: “We are woken up at dawn to go in search of drinking water. The situation is very hard for us, we have to travel around the city looking for available water sources.”
The provincial director of REGIDESO, Didier Mbudi Lelo, explained that the breakdown affects several motor pump groups, hampering water distribution in many neighborhoods. This crisis has a direct impact on prices, with the cost of a 20 liter container of water rising exponentially, from 200 to 1000 Congolese francs, putting already precarious households in difficulty.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by the inhabitants of Mbuji-Mayi in terms of access to drinking water, an essential right for the health and well-being of the population. While awaiting a rapid resolution of this crisis, it is crucial to raise awareness of the importance of efficient management of water resources to guarantee a stable and reliable supply to all citizens.
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