Funding Shortage Hinders Road and Bridge Works in North Kivu

Construction projects for roads and bridges in North Kivu province are facing significant obstacles, primarily due to a chronic lack of funding and adverse weather conditions. Builders recently alerted the military governor to these severe constraints during a meeting in Beni.

The situation is particularly critical for the asphalt road project connecting the Concorde roundabout to Rughenda airport in Butembo. The company undertaking the work has completed 59% of the project, including the sanitation network. However, insufficient financial resources have brought operations to a standstill. The technical director of the company highlighted irregular payments, stating that they have received only $2,900,000 USD over two years, which is less than half of the contractual amount, directly impacting the project's timeline.

Meanwhile, the modernization of Walikale aerodrome is progressing despite technical challenges. Project managers for bridge construction noted that rainfall frequently disrupts activities, and sourcing essential materials like crushed stone remains difficult. The affected areas include the cities of Beni and Butembo, as well as the territories of Beni, Lubero, and Walikale.

In response to these widespread difficulties, Governor Évariste Somo Kakule urged the contractors not to abandon their projects. He pledged that the provincial government would make every effort to support the successful completion of these infrastructure initiatives.

The ongoing issues underscore the fragility of infrastructure development in the region, where financial instability and environmental factors combine to delay crucial projects. The commitment from the provincial government is a positive step, but sustained financial support and effective logistical solutions will be necessary to overcome these persistent challenges.

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The challenge is primarily related to financing, which is being provided drip by drip. For over two years, we have only received 2,900,000 USD. This does not even represent half of the contractual clauses, and it directly impacts the duration of the work.