Kinshasa, May 13th, 2026 (CPA).– More than 468.8 kilometers of road network have been programmed under road infrastructure improvement and sanitation works in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, the provincial Minister of Infrastructure announced on Wednesday during a plenary session at the Provincial Assembly of the capital.“At present, we have launched works on three categories of road axes. We have 71 axes where road works have been completed; 135 axes where works are ongoing; and 96 axes where works have not yet started. The 71 completed axes represent 105.3 kilometers. Ongoing works cover 214 kilometers. Remaining works account for 149 kilometers. This brings the total to 468.8 kilometers already programmed and engaged by the Kinshasa provincial government,” said Alain Tshilungu, responding to a parliamentary oral question with debate initiated by provincial deputy Jared Phanzu, elected from Bandalungwa constituency.
He further noted that completed works represent 22.5%, ongoing works 45.7%, and planned works about 32%. He also clarified that the previously mentioned 69% related to drain cleaning does not refer to the entire road network of Kinshasa, but rather to the execution rate of targeted axes within the provincial government’s plan. “In our program, the government has prioritized main roads, secondary avenues, and certain strategic drainage channels in order to provide urgent solutions based on needs and priorities. We have never claimed that we would clean the entire city of Kinshasa, nor that the 69% referred to all drainage structures in the capital. We identified the most problematic watersheds, rivers at risk, collectors, and priority canals,” he explained. The minister added that an estimated budget of 15 million US dollars would be required to carry out large-scale drainage works across the capital, stressing the need for a permanent annual maintenance plan with several interventions per year. “To implement this large-scale program, the budget required for cleaning a significant part of Kinshasa is estimated at around 15 million US dollars. Cleaning should not be occasional. A permanent annual cleaning plan must be established. We intend to carry out at least four cleaning operations per year in Kinshasa. To address this situation, we have introduced a new approach where economic operators have been selected to ensure the maintenance of acceptable conditions through cleaning, maintenance of infrastructure, and installation of interlocking paving stones in certain areas,” he said. Regarding public procurement, the minister assured that all procedures were conducted in accordance with Law No. 10/010 of 27 April 2010 on public procurement, and that all selected contractors obtained the necessary authorizations and no-objection approvals in line with regulations in force in Kinshasa.