### The pooling of efforts in Kasa-Vubu: between hopes and challenges
On June 3, 2025, the municipality of Kasa-Vubu in Kinshasa announced a partnership with the Office des Roads et Drainage (OVD) to improve the drainage system for rainwater. This initiative, presented by the bourgmestre Phinnées Massombo, seems to meet a crucial need for the municipality, often faced with inadequate flooding and drainage problems. To understand the challenges of this collaboration, it is necessary to explore the forces, challenges and potential implications of this initiative.
#### Historical context and environmental challenges
Kasa-Vubu, like many municipalities in Kinshasa, has to face aging infrastructure and often unable to endure the heavy rains that occur particularly during the rainy season, like that observed in April. Historical districts, such as that around the public force roundabout, bear witness to a rich past but also current challenges linked to the maintenance and modernization of infrastructure. Recurrent floods do not only affect the quality of life of the inhabitants, but also affects the local economy and public health.
The “Kin-Zero hole” and “Tshilejelu” projects, which aim to rehabilitate the roads, underline the importance of the road infrastructure for urban development. These programs also report a government commitment to find lasting solutions. However, questions persist in effective implementation and monitoring of these initiatives.
#### Collaboration with OVD
The pooling of efforts between the town of Kasa-Vubu and the OVD is a positive aspect, which could lead to concrete results. Indeed, this collaboration aims to guarantee effective drainage, which could alleviate the harmful effects of complaints from residents concerning stagnant waters. The work already undertaken on avenue Djalele and the expansion to Gambela avenue are steps in the right direction for more sustainable management of rainwater.
That said, the start -up of such initiatives calls for several questions. First of all, what will be the assessment of real infrastructure needs? Then, how can you make sure that technical standards are respected in order to guarantee the sustainability of the work? Finally, communication with the inhabitants on the importance of these projects and their participation is just as essential, as the bourgmestre stresses when it urges citizens to carry out the cleaning of the gutters.
#### The activist role of citizens
The role of citizens in the process is often underestimated. The call of the bourgmestre to participate in the cleaning of the gutters highlights the importance of active cooperation between the authorities and the population. One question arises, however: how to encourage and motivate residents to take part in this initiative while ensuring that they really benefit from the results?
An adequate awareness of the importance of cleanliness and the maintenance of infrastructure can provide positive results. For this, information and awareness campaigns could be set up to educate the population on the challenges linked to infrastructure and sanitation.
#### to a sustainable vision
The collaboration between the municipality of Kasa-Vubu and the OVD represents an opportunity to improve infrastructure and meet essential needs, but it must be accompanied by a long-term vision. How can this municipality guarantee its resilience in the face of increasingly pressing climate change?
The projects must be accompanied by a global strategy which takes into account not only drainage but also other aspects such as the development of green spaces, waste management and awareness of citizens. Indeed, the creation of a culture of collective responsibility could strengthen development efforts and guarantee continuity over time of the initiatives implemented.
### Conclusion
The pooling of efforts for drainage of waters in Kasa-Vubu is an initiative that brings promises of change in it. Nevertheless, it will face challenges of implementation, monitoring and mobilization of the population. It is essential that local authorities keep in mind the importance of an integrated and participative approach to guarantee a lasting future to the inhabitants of this town. There are many challenges, but the opportunities for progress are just as much, which suggests a potentially promising future for Kasa-Vubu.