The retrocession intended for decentralised entities demanded by the burgomasters of Kinshasa

Kinshasa, July 3^rd, 2025 (CPA).- The monthly retrocession intended for decentralised administrative entities has been demanded from the central government by the burgomasters and deputy burgomasters of the city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it was learned on Thursday from administrative source. ‘Since the new governor, Daniel Bumba, has come into office, he has only transferred $22,000 to the municipalities. That represents three months’ retrocession. We are demanding our monthly retrocession so that we can do our work properly. We can’t do anything because this retrocession is delayed,‘ has declared Claudia Moyina, deputy burgomaster of Selembao. ‘According to the provincial government’s calculations, each municipality should receive $10,000. However, not all municipalities are of the same size or have the same expenses. Selembao, for example, is the largest municipality in Funa. We have two urban police stations. If they we give us $10,000, what are we supposed to do with it?’ he has added.  According to him, the Minister in charge of Finance has suggested that the burgomasters write to the Head of State requesting that the funds allocated to the municipalities no longer pass through the town hall. « Logically, each municipality should receive its 40%. Each of them would know what to do with it. Unfortunately, this is not the case. This is what complicates things for us. We don’t know how to work with the sum of $10, 000, » has said Mr Moyina.  He has also revealed that the burgomasters of Kinshasa have considered sending a letter to the government to demand payment of their salaries. ‘Like our colleagues in the interior, we in Kinshasa will soon write to the government to ask it to pay us,’ has said the deputy burgomaster of Selembao.  In his view, ‘the socio-economic situation of burgomasters is not good. They have no vehicles to ensure their mobility. The cars we have here are dilapidated. They are jeeps purchased during the last five years of Governor Kimbuta’s term of office. » « In the public administration, an official vehicle cannot exceed six (6) years of age. However, this is the case for the vehicles we have found. We have no resources, and some burgomasters go to work on motorcycles. That’s my case. I have bought a motorcycle because my vehicle is constantly breaking down, » he has concluded.  CPA/WAMBOLE/MATUMONA