### Strengthening infrastructure in Kasai: a project for the future?
On April 11, the governor of Kasai, Me Crispin Mukendi, inaugurated an ambitious project under the Label Per-2025, aimed at improving the road infrastructure of the province. This initiative marks a significant turning point in the management of roads, gutters and all urban infrastructure long awaited by the local population. With an investment estimated at nearly 500,000 US dollars, funded by the National Road Maintenance Fund (FONER), this project seems to meet urgent needs. However, questions remain as for its implementation and the conditions necessary to guarantee its long -term success.
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The specific project mentioned during this ceremony does not only concern an aesthetic improvement in public roads, but aims to overcome recurring issues such as the flood and poor condition of the roads. As Thythy Kwete, Provincial Director of the OVD indicated, the work will be articulated around two phases: the construction of gutters and sidewalks on Boulevard Lumumba, and the backfilling of the Kamuanga Mpongo Ravin, which poses a real problem of security and accessibility within the commune of Mbumba.
The Ravin Kamuanga Mpongo, in particular, has become an urban abyss, directly impacting the circulation and quality of life of citizens. The urgency of the intervention is therefore manifest. However, it is essential to question the sustainability of these infrastructures when completed. What will be the measures taken to ensure that they will remain in good condition, and that the city will not be faced with a new deterioration in a few months or years?
### The importance of sustainable financing
Patrick Kamastono Lupangu, director of Foner for Grand Kasai, stressed the crucial importance of the revenues from tolls to finance these operations. This point deserves special attention, because it raises the question of the perception of the tax by motorists and road users. A distrust of taxes can arouse resistances, and it is fundamental that the population understands the link between their financial contribution and the tangible improvements of their daily life.
As such, transparency on the use of funds and communication around the concrete profits of the projects initiated is essential. Local authorities must endeavor to create a climate of confidence where citizens feel invested and not injured by these samples.
#### A call for rigor and diligence
During the ceremony, Governor Mukendi expressed his wish to see the OVD respect the work calendar, stressing the importance of preventing this project from joining the long list of other unfinished projects in the country. This concern refers to a reality often noted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where many development initiatives have failed due to a lack of rigor in the implementation and non-compliance with deadlines.
The effectiveness in the execution of this project could also serve as a model for other initiatives across the country, but this requires a constant commitment by the authorities at all levels. The vigilance of actors of civil society and the inhabitants will also be crucial to ensure that these works are carried out with quality.
## towards a more inclusive dynamic?
The creation of a dialogue between the provincial government, OVD technicians and citizens could strengthen the scope of this initiative. By involving local populations in planning and carrying out such projects, the process could not only cause better acceptance of reforms, but also catalyze innovative solutions adapted to local specificities.
Finally, the launch of the work on Boulevard Lumumba and the rehabilitation of the Ravin Kamuanga mark a potentially positive step for Kasai. However, it is essential that this advance is accompanied by a broader reflection on the sustainable management of public infrastructure, financial transparency and community engagement, essential elements to transform this project into long -term success. The road to development is strewn with pitfalls, but it is also rich in opportunities and promises.