Kinshasa, June 8th, 2026 (CPA).- The modernization of the certified laboratories of the Congolese Control Office (OCC) was described on Monday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as essential to enhancing the competitiveness of local products, by the Minister of Foreign Trade during a meeting with the newly appointed officials of the public institution.
“The modernization of the OCC’s certified laboratories are essential to the competitiveness of Congolese products on the global market. We must accelerate the construction and modernization of these laboratories, strengthen staff capacities, improve working conditions and combat corruption in order to guarantee quality control that meets international standards,” said Julien Paluku Kahongya, Minister in charge of Foreign Trade.
On the occasion, Minister Paluku called on the new officials to speed up the construction and modernization of certified laboratories, strengthen staff capacities, improve working conditions and effectively combat corruption as well as the embezzlement of public revenues. He also stressed the need to comply with the legal provisions governing public institutions, rationalize recruitment procedures and maintain permanent cohesion between the Board of Directors and the General Management.
For his part, Pierre Lohohola, Director General of the OCC, pledged to place his expertise at the service of the institution’s development in order to contribute to the promotion of “Made in DRC” exports. The official installation ceremony for the members of the Board of Directors and the General Management of the institution is scheduled for June 9 in Kinshasa.