According to recent information provided by the representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Damien Mama, during a presentation devoted to the assessment of actions undertaken within the framework of the Local Development Programme of 145 Territories, a series of notable advances were observed. This presentation, which was held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, was an opportunity for national deputies and caucus chairs to learn about the significant progress made within the framework of this programme.
The UNDP, in charge of nine provinces with a substantial budget of 610 million US dollars, focused its efforts on the construction of essential infrastructure such as schools, health centres and administrative buildings. These actions were deployed in the provinces of Bas-Uélé, Mongala, Tshopo, Tshuapa, Sankuru, Kasaï, Maniema, Tanganyika and South Kivu, covering 54 territories in total.
The results obtained are already significant, with 220 completed works out of the 764 planned. Among these achievements, 142 schools have been built out of the 334 planned, 66 health centers have been built out of the 245 expected and 18 administrative buildings have been erected out of the 52 scheduled. In addition, 159 other works are currently in the final phase, including 75 schools, 71 health centers and 13 administrative buildings.
It should be recalled that the Local Development Program of the 145 Territories was established in 2022 by President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi with the aim of reducing poverty and territorial inequalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This program, with an overall cost estimated at $1.66 billion, demonstrates the government’s commitment to local development and improving citizens’ living conditions.
At the recent Council of Ministers, the Minister of Finance announced the full payment of the balance of USD 27,352,237, thus making it possible to finance all the works of phase 1. This progress demonstrates the government’s desire to actively support local development initiatives and provide concrete solutions to the challenges faced by populations.
In short, these encouraging results demonstrate the importance of investments in local development to strengthen the capacities of territories and promote sustainable and inclusive growth. They constitute a significant step forward towards building a more prosperous and equitable society for all.