At a time when the development of Congolese provinces, particularly South Kivu, is undergoing a major transformation, Governor Jean Jacques Purusi has chosen a unique approach to managing his province: accountability and local governance. Faced with the multiple challenges facing the region, he has decided to be accountable to the population and to promote transparency in his management.
During a historic meeting held at the Kadutu stadium in Bukavu last September, Governor Purusi presented a detailed assessment of his first two months at the head of the province. He highlighted the progress made in security, infrastructure, mining and financial management.
On the financial front, the Governor particularly highlighted the significant increase in the province’s revenue. Starting with 195,000 US dollars found in the state coffers upon his arrival in June, the province managed to mobilize more than 1,503,000 dollars in August thanks to better collection of taxes and duties.
In addition, in a strong symbolic gesture, Governor Purusi handed over checks for 60,000 US dollars to each head of the decentralized territorial entities of the territories of Uvira, Fizi, Shabunda, as well as the cities of Baraka and Uvira. These funds are intended for the implementation of local development projects, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the inhabitants.
Governor Purusi’s initiative has been welcomed by many observers, but some stress the importance of not giving in to populism and of putting in place monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure the effectiveness of the projects implemented.
Ultimately, Governor Jean Jacques Purusi’s approach to accountability and transparency is paving the way for a new era of governance in South Kivu province. By holding himself accountable to the population and working towards sustainable development, he is laying the foundation for a promising future for the region.