Title: The SAMCRETE company and the construction of National Road No. 1: the IGF highlights financial irregularities
Introduction :
As part of the presidential program to combat poverty and reduce inequalities, the construction and development of National Road No. 1, KANANGA-MBUJI MAYI section, is underway. However, a recent announcement from the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) highlights financial irregularities concerning the company SAMCRETE, responsible for the work. In this article, we will look at the details of this situation and its impact on the project.
A payment not validated by the IGF:
According to a press release from the IGF, a payment of 27 million US dollars to the company SAMCRETE for the construction of National Road No. 1 was not validated by the inspection. This decision results from the evaluation of the work carried out on the ground, which only shows partial completion at 11.41%. The SAMCRETE company must therefore justify the use of the funds which have already been paid to it and prove that the work carried out corresponds to their monetary value.
An insufficient execution rate:
The IGF emphasizes that the work carried out by the SAMCRETE company only corresponds to 3.1 million dollars out of the 27 million already paid. This means that the majority of allocated funds have not been used adequately. The IGF therefore requests explanations on the amount remaining to be justified, amounting to nearly $24.15 million. This situation calls into question the management of the project’s finances and raises doubts about the transparency of the award of public contracts.
Impact on the construction of National Road No. 1:
These financial irregularities have a direct impact on the progress of the construction of National Road No. 1. Due to the unvalidated payment, there is no possibility of additional payment to the SAMCRETE company for the moment. This could lead to delays in the completion of the project, thus jeopardizing the economic and social development objectives linked to this infrastructure.
Conclusion :
The controversial financial situation surrounding the construction of National Road No. 1, KANANGA-MBUJI MAYI section, raises questions about the management of public funds and the transparency of public procurement in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the absence of adequate justifications from the SAMCRETE company, the IGF took the decision not to validate a payment of 27 million US dollars. This highlights the importance of rigorous supervision of infrastructure projects and the application of good financial management practices to ensure the success of development initiatives.