Fatshimetrie, Kinshasa, June 24, 2024 – President Félix Tshisekedi carried out this Monday an inspection visit to the infrastructure being built at the fishing port of Kinkole, located east of the Congolese capital. This initiative is part of efforts to modernize this important fishing area, and comes as the country celebrates National Fish Day.
Accompanied by the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Jean-Pierre Tshimanga, President Tshisekedi supervised the progress of the work, thus highlighting the strategic importance of this port for the development of the fishing sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The multiple components of this infrastructure under construction, including warehouses, a refrigerated room, as well as pavilions intended for the Kinshasa fish market, demonstrate the government’s desire to modernize and strengthen fishing activity in the region.
While the work is about to be finalized, with a completion rate reaching 90%, attention is now focused on the paving of the access road to the port, a final step which will soon allow its opening to the public.
Alongside this modernization effort, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the establishment of a program aimed at boosting national fish production. This ambitious project, supervised by the National Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture (ONPA), aims to optimize the collection and distribution of locally produced fish, with the aim of alleviating the scarcity of this essential food resource.
The commemoration of National Fish Day is therefore of particular importance this year, under the theme “Fishing and aquaculture, pillars for the recovery of the national economy”. This celebration highlights the vital role that these sectors play in the economic and social development of the country, providing income for many Congolese and contributing to food security.
In conclusion, the Kinkole landing stage represents much more than a simple fishing infrastructure: it is a symbol of the dynamism and ambition of the Democratic Republic of Congo to strengthen its fishing sector, while promoting its fishery resources and by promoting local products. President Tshisekedi, through his commitment to the modernization of this port, demonstrates his desire to stimulate the economic and social potential of the country through the sustainable development of its aquatic resources.