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On this Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Congolese news is marked by the return to the forefront of the explosive report published by the Center for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL). This report highlights dubious practices within the Government of the DRC, revealing the financing of two ghost roads for a total amount of $3 million between 2021 and 2023.
The streets in question, Tshilombo and Lunionzo, located in the commune of Matete, are said to have benefited from substantial funding of $1.7 million and $1.3 million respectively. These revelations have sparked strong reactions among the Congolese population, who are legitimately questioning the management of public funds and transparency in the implementation of infrastructure projects.
In addition to these financial irregularities, the CREFDL report also highlights cases of double awarding of contracts to different service providers for the same project, highlighting a system of corruption and embezzlement that is plaguing the public works sector in the DRC.
Faced with these accusations, Victor Tumba Tshikela, Director of the Roads and Drainage Office (OVD), responded by stating that the incriminated avenues, “Lunionzo and Tshilombo”, are indeed part of the ABC Consortium contract and are located in the Malandi district of Matete. According to him, the CREFDL report is riddled with errors and inaccuracies, and he denounces the lack of tangible evidence to support these allegations of embezzlement.
In a country where corruption and mismanagement of public funds are commonplace, this affair raises crucial questions about the responsibility of the authorities and the need for effective accountability. It is imperative that measures be taken to ensure transparency and integrity in the management of infrastructure projects, in order to prevent such abuses in the future.
Beyond these shocking revelations, this case highlights the urgency of strengthening the mechanisms for controlling and supervising public spending in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is time to shed light on these unacceptable practices and for concrete actions to be taken to combat corruption and promote healthy and transparent governance within the Congolese public administration.
Fatshimetrie will remain on the lookout for any developments in this case and will continue to inform its readers with complete objectivity and journalistic rigor. Stay connected to closely follow this hot topic that reveals the dark underbelly of politics and business in the DRC.