Mbandaka, Nov. 15th, 2026 (CPA).- A stay of enforcement of the measure banning wooden whaling boats from navigating the waterways of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been requested by provincial deputies from Equateur, in the north-west of the country, in a statement, a copy of which was received on Sunday by CPA.
“We have examined the complaints and various memoranda from the public concerning the ban on the navigation of wooden whaling boats. We therefore call upon the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, to grant a reprieve on the implementation of this measure until a sufficient number of metal whaling boats capable of serving the province have been effectively deployed.
‘We are concerned about the risks posed by this measure, which could lead to food shortages and paralyse the province’s socio-economic activities, as its population relies heavily on the country’s river and lake transport networks,’ Ezechiel Ambokani, Deputy Rapporteur of the Provincial Assembly has declared.
The elected representatives, have however, welcomed the government’s commitment to modernise the river transport and improve safety standards, notably through daytime navigation – from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm – the compulsory wearing of life jackets and compliance with authorised tonnage limits.
It should be reminded that the use of wooden whaling boats in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be banned from November 15th, 2026, in accordance with Ministerial Decree No. 095 signed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba. ACP/