Fatshimetrie
In this month of November 2024, serious revelations are shaking the public works sector in Kinshasa. The Center for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) reports alleged embezzlement of funds reaching the exorbitant sum of 3 million USD, dedicated to road infrastructure improvement projects in the Congolese capital. These projects, called “Kinshasa zero hole” and “Tshilejelu”, are at the heart of a scandal brought to light by the CREFDL coordinator, Valery Madianga.
In a damning investigative report, Valery Madianga highlights the construction of poor quality roads, even “single-use”, without adequate prior studies, despite considerable funds from the public treasury. He warns of the disastrous consequences of this chaotic management on traffic in the congested capital, stating that without the implementation of the urban transport master plan designed in collaboration with Japanese cooperation, Kinshasa will remain stuck in chronic traffic jams.
The Tshilejelu project, which is supposed to significantly improve the road network, is also criticized for its opacity and inefficiency. Valery Madianga denounces poor management of the funds allocated to these projects, with non-existent sections, exorbitant administrative costs and a lack of transparency in the use of financial resources. He highlights the lack of serious preliminary studies, overcharging for work, and the prioritization of administrative expenses to the detriment of the infrastructure itself.
Faced with these damning revelations, the efforts made by Radio Okapi to obtain a reaction from the Minister of Public Works have so far been in vain, casting doubt on the management of major urban renovation projects in Kinshasa. The “Zero Hole” project launched with great fanfare to solve traffic jams and mobility problems in the city, as well as the Tshilejelu project, which aimed to rehabilitate a significant part of the road network, are marred by serious malfunctions and suspicions of embezzlement.
In conclusion, these revelations highlight the urgency of transparent and efficient management of public funds allocated to infrastructure projects in Kinshasa. It is imperative to guarantee judicious use of resources to ensure a real improvement in the quality of life of residents and the resolution of traffic problems in the Congolese capital.