Recent investigations conducted by the General Inspectorate of Finance in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlight a financial operation of exceptional scale, thus raising serious questions about its legality and its impact on the resources allocated to road maintenance. Indeed, the National Road Maintenance Fund (FONER) is considering a financial partnership of a colossal amount of 500 million USD with the commercial bank BGFIBANK RDC, under the supervision of influential figures such as the former Minister of Finance Nicolas Kazadi and the Minister of State, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, Alexis Gisaro.
This operation, beyond its financial dimension, raises legitimate questions about its compliance with the legal provisions governing the resources of FONER and the allocation of budgets intended for road maintenance. In a letter addressed to the bank’s officials, the Inspector General of Finance, Jules Alingete Key, requests the transmission of various documents to clarify the details of this transaction, such as the memorandum of understanding, the Minutes of the FONER Board of Directors, the approved projects, the prior authorization of the Supervisory Authority, the guarantees provided, the FONER 2024 budget including this loan, and the planned repayment terms.
FONER, established in response to the insufficient funding allocated to the road sector in the DRC, is tasked with collecting and managing the resources necessary for the maintenance and preservation of roads and urban roads. Its creation, established by Law No. 08/006-A of July 7, 2008, aims to alleviate the general deterioration of roads caused by insufficient national budgets.
Faced with these major challenges, transparency and compliance with the rules in force are essential to ensure sound and efficient management of public resources allocated to road maintenance in the DRC. The General Inspectorate of Finance plays a leading role in monitoring and controlling these financial operations, in order to preserve the integrity of public funds and promote responsible and ethical management in the financial sector.
Ultimately, the challenge of this investigation is not limited to a simple accounting audit, but highlights the importance of transparency, good governance and accountability in the management of public funds allocated to sectors as crucial as road maintenance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is up to the competent authorities and stakeholders to ensure compliance with standards and legal provisions to preserve the general interest and ensure sustainable and equitable development of the country.