In the tumult of public affairs, a new episode has shaken the foundations of trust in Congolese institutions. The Public Expenditure Observatory (ODEP), a watchdog of transparency and good governance, has pointed out the “pharaonic” remuneration practices of the leaders of the Congolese Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC).
An in-depth investigation by ODEP reveals staggering figures: seven senior ARPTC officials are taking monthly salaries of up to US$340,000, with significant differences between US$319,321 and US$439,471. These exorbitant sums add up to a total annual envelope exceeding US$2.3 million, not to mention substantial bonuses such as the “January bonus” of US$3 million paid at the beginning of the year.
Faced with these revelations, ODEP highlights the striking contrast with the more modest incomes of the representatives of the Congolese people. Indeed, the seven members of the ARPTC’s governing body are said to receive salaries more than three times higher than those of national deputies. A shocking disparity that raises questions about equity and social justice within the state apparatus.
In a resounding appeal addressed to President Félix Tshisekedi, ODEP calls for immediate action: the suspension of the ARPTC’s management team. This radical gesture aims to signal that such unacceptable practices can no longer be tolerated. At the same time, ODEP urges the Minister of Justice to take precautionary measures to ensure the preservation of evidence and calls on civil society and the population to remain vigilant in denouncing any form of embezzlement.
In this crucial period for the integrity and legitimacy of Congolese institutions, the ARPTC affair resonates like an alarm signal. It calls for a deep reflection on the control and regulation mechanisms of the high authorities, as well as a collective mobilization to establish a culture of transparency and responsibility. Because the trust of the people is not a given, but a precious asset that is earned every day, through concrete actions and exemplary behavior.