The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (ADB) released last week, a package of US $ 70 million for the project of rehabilitation of the National Highway 1 (RN1). The section concerned is 622 km from Kinshasa to Batshamba (Tshikapa).

Indeed, this project has a strong integrative potential, particularly in the political, economic and social context of the DRC. It is also in line with the DRC’s Integrated National Transport Master Plan and consistent with two of the Bank’s five operational priorities (High-5), those aimed at improving the quality of life of Africans and integrating Africa.

An official statement indicates that the said Project is also in line with the key objectives of the Long-Term Strategy (SLT), through which the AfDB reinforces its commitment to fragile states and the development of basic infrastructure, focusing on inclusive and equitable access of populations.

Some indicators related to the longevity and maintenance of infrastructure as well as the capacity of the Road Maintenance Fund will be monitored because of the limited means to ensure the sustainability of the project.

The Board also discussed the effectiveness of the national procurement system and the low level of disbursements for past projects, given the scale of this project. The affected populations, less than 200 people, were covered by the compensation plan implemented.

As a reminder, the National Road 1 (RN1) is the centerpiece of the road transport system in DR Congo and connects, over approximately 3 130 km, the ports of Banana and Matadi to the major cities of the west of the country, in from the south of Lubumbashi to the Zambian border.

As for other provinces served: Kongo Central, Kinshasa, Kwango Kasai, Upper Lomami Lualaba and Upper Katanga, the RN1 connects with the RN2 through Mbuji-Mayi and the East of the country, offering an opening towards Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi.

Agnes KAYEMBE