The territory of Luozi, located in the Kongo-Central province, has been facing a crucial lack for decades: electricity. Indeed, this region has never been connected to the electricity grid, which has exacerbated the difficult living conditions of its population. In a poignant appeal, civil society in Luozi recently asked decision-makers to address this crucial issue and put in place concrete measures to electrify this forgotten area.
Eugène Kanza Tonda, Luozi civil society communications officer, stressed the urgent need to electrify this neglected region. According to him, the electrification of Luozi was included in President Felix Tshisekedi’s flagship “100 days” project, with an envelope of 5 million US dollars allocated for this purpose. However, despite these announcements and commitments, no concrete progress has been seen on the ground, leaving the population of Luozi in darkness and isolation.
This worrying situation raises questions about the effectiveness and transparency of public policies regarding access to electricity in remote regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Electrification is a key driver of economic and social development, and the absence of electricity in Luozi hinders the well-being and opportunities of people in this region.
The coordination of civil society in Luozi also reminded the governor of Kongo-Central, Grace Bilolo Nkuanga, of the importance of taking into account the needs of all the territories of the province, and not just favoring one region to the detriment of others.
It is crucial that the competent authorities implement concrete measures to guarantee the electrification of Luozi and thus improve the living conditions of its population. Access to electricity is a fundamental right and an essential catalyst for social and economic progress. It is time to act and ensure that Luozi is no longer left in the dark, but finally enjoys the benefits of relevant and sustainable electricity connectivity.