Recent developments in Lubumbashi, capital of the Haut Katanga province, have aroused keen interest and excitement among the local and national population. Indeed, the launching ceremony of the National Service trains, chaired by President Félix Tshisekedi, marked a major turning point in the country’s development and modernization initiatives.
These new means of rail transport, acquired and made available to the National Service, represent much more than a simple logistical novelty. They embody a concrete response to the transport and mobility challenges which have hampered the dynamism of the country’s economic and social activities for too long.
The acquisition of two diesel locomotives, accompanied by diversified wagons ranging from open wagons to tank wagons including wagons specially designed for the transport of containers, demonstrates a strong government desire to optimize means of transport to boost trade and commerce. strengthen connectivity between the different regions of the country.
The intervention of Major General Jean-Pierre Kasongo Kabwik, Commander of the National Service, highlights the strategic importance of these new trains. Indeed, beyond their use for the transport of National Service materials, these locomotives represent a major asset for opening up remote and isolated regions, facilitating the delivery of goods and essential services, as well as strengthening logistical capabilities of the country’s armed and security forces.
The presence of young machinists, particularly women, trained at the railway school in South Africa, embodies significant progress in terms of gender equality and the promotion of youth employment in key sectors of the national economy.
Beyond their logistical dimension, these new National Service trains have strong symbolism in terms of socio-economic development and regional planning. They open up new perspectives for opening up rural areas, stimulating trade, facilitating access to basic services and promoting local employment.
In conclusion, the launch of National Service trains in Lubumbashi constitutes a significant step towards the modernization of transport infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It embodies the political will to strengthen national connectivity, boost economic exchanges and promote balanced and inclusive development of the entire territory.