Fatshimetrie, your essential news source, takes you today to Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for a dive into the panorama of the region’s gas stations.
In the heart of this dynamic city, 45 gas stations dot the urban landscape, offering residents an essential service to get around and go about their daily business. However, a careful reading reveals a contrasting reality: only about twenty of these stations are in compliance with environmental and social impact studies, highlighting a crucial issue for the preservation of the environment in this region.
The Head of the Administrative and Financial Department of the Congolese Agency for the Environment (ACE) for the provinces of Ituri and Haut-Uélé, Barnabé Mandangba, emphasizes the importance of these studies to ensure compliance with environmental standards and limit harmful impacts on the climate. Indeed, the law provides for severe penalties for operators who neglect these studies, up to a fine of up to five times the cost of the necessary studies.
Putting Bunia’s service stations in order is therefore of paramount importance, not only to comply with the regulations in force but also to contribute to environmental protection and promote sustainable development in the region. Faced with the challenges posed by climate disruption, the need to implement adequate measures to limit negative impacts on the environment appears to be an absolute priority.
The provincial government, aware of these issues, has granted a three-month moratorium to service station owners to comply with the legislation in force, in an effort to encourage environmentally friendly practices and promote sustainable management of natural resources.
Ultimately, the issue of service stations in Bunia goes beyond the simple framework of fuel supply; it raises crucial issues related to the preservation of the environment, the fight against climate change and the promotion of an economy that respects ecological balances. Now is the time for action, awareness and collective responsibility to ensure a sustainable future for this region and for future generations.