In the dynamics of urban governance in Kinshasa, the appointment of Daniel Bumba as governor of the city raises great hopes. His recent allocation of an envelope of USD 20,000 to each of the 24 communes of the capital for operating costs suggests a fierce desire to restore the grandeur of Kinshasa, tarnished by insalubrity, laxity and ambient inaction.
During a meeting with municipal officials, Daniel Bumba urged them to fully assume their responsibilities to restore Kinshasa to its former splendor. He stressed that the current degradation of the city was not inevitable, but a challenge to be met collectively. The governor denounced the laxity and inaction of certain municipal collaborators in the fight against insalubrity, noise pollution, pirate markets and the illegal occupation of public spaces.
He called for the mobilization of local actors to implement the “Kinshasa ezobonga” program, including actions such as street cleaning, gutter maintenance and the fight against illegal occupations. Daniel Bumba also criticized the delay taken by certain municipal authorities in submitting their local development plans.
The mayors, for their part, expressed their commitment to improving the situation. The mayor of Masina, Joseph Shutu, notably stated that he had a concrete action plan for his municipality. This proactive approach is a positive signal, giving hope for a real transformation at the local level.
The appointment of Daniel Bumba as governor of Kinshasa thus offers a glimmer of hope for the Congolese metropolis, provided that the commitments made are realized on the ground. The active collaboration of municipal authorities, law enforcement and the population is essential to meet the current challenges and restore Kinshasa to its former glory.