The organization Centre de recherche en finances publiques et développement local (CREFDL) recently highlighted worrying facts concerning the management of road infrastructure projects in Kinshasa. In a report entitled “L’opacité quand tu nous tiens”, the CREFDL points the finger at the Ministers of Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction (ITPR) for their lack of transparency in the management of these projects.
Among the projects in question are the Tshilejelu and Zero Hole projects in Kinshasa. The report reveals that funds were allegedly disbursed for these projects without this being properly justified in the budgets. In addition, anomalies such as the insertion of fictitious sections or avenues were noted. It also mentions the awarding of the same contract to two partners, which raises serious questions about the legality and transparency of these decisions.
Faced with these revelations, a motion of no confidence was initiated in the National Assembly against the Minister of Infrastructure. However, it is worrying to note that this motion was not even considered during the last parliamentary session. This situation raises questions about the National Assembly’s ability to exercise effective control over the government’s actions and to sanction those responsible in the event of proven misconduct.
In addition, irregularities were also noted regarding the motion of no confidence, with deputies withdrawing their support after initially signing the document, in violation of the Assembly’s internal rules. This situation casts a veil of uncertainty over the ability of political bodies to fully assume their role as guarantors of good governance and transparency in the management of public affairs.
The CREFDL therefore called for sanctions against the Minister of ITPR and recommended that the President of the Republic act accordingly. It also invited the population to mobilize to exercise vigilant monitoring of the government’s actions in order to prevent any deviation or mismanagement of public resources. Indeed, transparency and accountability are essential pillars of healthy and democratic governance and it is the duty of all citizens to ensure that these fundamental principles are respected.