Kinshasa, July 20th, 2025 (CPA). – The governor of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been asked to get involved in dredging the Nd’jili River, specifically in Kisenso, a commune in the center of the Congolese capital, to prevent flooding during the upcoming rainy season, according to administrative sources on Saturday. « We are appealing to the governor of the city of Kinshasa for his involvement in the dredging of the N’djili River, which is not just a simple technical operation. It is a vital imperative for the safety of the inhabitants of Kisenso in the face of recurrent flooding. Getting involved in this operation means protecting lives and property, » said Godé Athswel, mayor of the municipality of Kisenso. ‘The population has asked me to tell the authorities to facilitate the dredging of the N’djili River, which is the main problem. Because we must always leave room for the water. If you leave room for the river, you will see that there will be no damage caused by the river water,’ he added. This appeal by the municipal authority follows flooding in the Dingi Dingi neighbourhood of Kisenso. The situation has plunged the population into despair. ‘We called the mayor because we are dying,’ according to victims encountered on site. « I am very happy to meet you. It’s true that this isn’t the first time I’ve come to the Dingi Dingi neighborhood, but it’s the twelfth time, and I don’t cover the whole neighborhood. I also came during the last flood. People were in a state of shock, and everyone was trying to save themselves. We didn’t have time to talk, » said another. Godé Athswel, himself a resident of Kisenso, reaffirmed his attachment to his community and his sorrow at the suffering of his constituents. ‘I love my community very much, but what matters is your suffering, which also disturbs me greatly,’ he said. ‘It’s a sad message. If you don’t have a big heart to bear it, you won’t make it. This applies to all the serious floods that have occurred. The population has scattered, and others are on the ground,’ he insisted.
According to him, the consequences of the floods are devastating for the inhabitants of Dingi Dingi, who live in poor conditions. ‘We deplore the erosion of the land with the boundary between Kisenso and N’djili overflowing. The N’djili bank has taken over large parts of the land in Kinseso, which belongs to my people,’ he concluded. ACP/