Fatshimetrie: National Road No. 4 in the Democratic Republic of Congo – An ordeal for travelers and transporters
Like a vital artery connecting two important regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, National Road No. 4 which connects Bunia to Kisangani is today the scene of a terrible nightmare for travelers and transporters. Formerly taken in just three days, this journey is now synonymous with suffering and long delays, requiring more than two weeks to travel. Since Wednesday, September 18, 2024, a monster traffic jam has paralyzed more than 500 trucks between PK 199 and PK 205 of the RN 4, plunging passengers into increasing disarray.
Passengers, faced with deplorable travel conditions, find themselves plunged into an alarming situation. At PK 205, hell on earth is taking shape in the form of an inextricable quagmire, engulfing the trailer trucks that venture there. On Sunday, September 22, desolation reigns supreme, making this section of road a veritable hell for users. The diversions, however precarious, only allow passage to motorcycles and light vehicles, leaving heavy vehicles trapped in endless distress.
This agony is unfortunately not limited to PK 205, since other convoys of vehicles are desperately waiting their turn at PK 170. Even the seemingly passable sections of road reveal an advanced state of disrepair, amplifying the torment of travelers and transporters. The long lines of trucks, transporting vital goods such as fuel, foodstuffs and other basic necessities, testify to a critical situation. The nauseating smell of expired products hangs in the air, adding an extra dimension of despair to this nightmarish picture.
The reasons for this disaster are multiple, however, the recent rains have aggravated an already critical state of disrepair. Despite the launch in February 2024 of the rehabilitation and modernization works of the road by Alexis Gisaro, Minister of ITPR, users remain trapped in an unspeakable ordeal. The poignant stories of drivers and passengers highlight the urgency of rapid intervention to restore the viability of this essential road.
The current situation of the national road N°4 in the Democratic Republic of Congo reveals a major humanitarian and logistical crisis, requiring urgent mobilization of the competent authorities. The future of the regions of Bunia and Kisangani as well as the well-being of the populations who inhabit them depend on the accessibility and practicability of this crucial roadIt is imperative to act quickly and effectively to put an end to this unbearable suffering which is hitting travellers and transporters hard, making each kilometre a new ordeal to overcome.