“Fatshimétrie”: Critical Analysis of the Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project in Kananga
The rehabilitation of infrastructure is a major issue for the development of disadvantaged regions, such is the official discourse. However, behind political promises sometimes lie very distant realities. At least, this is what seems to indicate the recent intervention of the Center for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) concerning the project announced for the city of Kananga, in the province of Kasaï-Central.
The coordinator of the CREFDL, Valery Madianga, pointed out the absence of a clear delivery deadline for the works planned in the five-year plan 2024-2028 of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works (ITPR). According to him, this project seems to be more a matter of political discourse than of real budgetary and logistical planning. Indeed, the absence of inclusion of this project in the budget voted in Parliament seriously calls into question its feasibility.
Valery Madianga’s intervention highlights the gray areas surrounding this infrastructure rehabilitation project in Kananga. Indeed, in the absence of clear funding and legal support from the competent authorities, how can we envisage the concrete implementation of these works? Political promises are not enough to realize projects of such magnitude.
In addition, the CREFDL coordinator emphasizes the fact that this project is part of the SICOMINES contract, a Chinese contract whose execution conditions seem to raise questions. Thus, the 278 million US dollars planned for this project could well remain a dead letter, due to the lack of favorable conditions for its effective implementation.
The CREFDL warning thus reveals the potential of an empty political announcement, of a project that could remain a mirage for the population of Kananga, legitimately waiting for concrete improvements to its infrastructure. Because without adequate financial support, rigorous monitoring and solid planning, the fine words of politicians risk getting lost in the twists and turns of bureaucracy and inaction.
Ultimately, the intervention of the CREFDL highlights the shortcomings of a system where political speeches are not enough to meet the concrete needs of the populations. The rehabilitation of infrastructure in Kananga therefore requires more than a simple announcement, it requires a real financial and logistical commitment, guaranteed by concrete and transparent measures. Only such support will make it possible to realize the promises of development and improvement of living conditions for the inhabitants of this region awaiting change.