Fatshimetrie is a news media outlet renowned for its in-depth and impactful coverage of current affairs issues. Recently, a hot topic has captivated the attention of citizens of Kinshasa: the transport crisis and the deplorable state of the roads in the Congolese capital.
Images of endless traffic jams, giant potholes and cars exhausted by dilapidated roads flashed before the dismayed gazes of Kinshasa residents. Kabinda and Kabambare avenues have become rugged terrain where only intrepid motorcyclists dare venture. Even pedestrians take risks when they cross these roads cluttered with unusual traps.
The distress of users and local residents is palpable. Traders see their customers disappear as the roads deteriorate. Drivers deplore the premature wear and tear of their vehicles, leading to significant financial expenses to maintain their means of transport. Frustration and anger are growing at the inaction of the authorities to remedy this alarming situation.
The rapid growth of Kinshasa’s population, combined with an inadequate and overloaded road network, makes urban travel a nightmare. Grade separations, although praised for their partial effectiveness, cannot solve all the traffic problems in a city in perpetual expansion.
The challenges are multiple: unpaved roads, under-exploited transport routes, irresponsible behavior of drivers and traffic laws that are often flouted. The authorities find themselves faced with a dilemma: how to meet the travel needs of a growing population, while ensuring the safety and fluidity of traffic in already precarious conditions?
Kinshasa’s urban transport master plan, developed in 2019, presents possible solutions, including the renovation of transport infrastructure and the exploitation of underused railway and river routes. However, the reality on the ground remains cruel: broken roads, chronic traffic jams and increasingly frequent traffic incidents.
Faced with this alarming observation, initiatives have been launched to improve the situation. In 2021, the “Kinshasa zero holes” program was deployed with substantial funding, but the results are slow to materialize. Traffic jams persist, the roads are deteriorating, and the daily lives of Kinshasa residents are affected.
It is urgent that the authorities take concrete measures to improve transport infrastructure, guarantee the safety of users and ensure the mobility of the population in dignified and secure conditions. It is time to restore Kinshasa’s dynamism and fluidity, by transforming its dilapidated streets into modern and functional arteries.