Four months after the start of construction work on grade separation in some Kinshasa crossroads, 40% of the work is already completed, according to estimates by the Office of Roads and Drainage (OVD). This mid-term evaluation is done on the sidelines of the site visit made this Wednesday, July 17, 2019, by the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshilombo.
According to the director general of the OVD, Benjamin Wenga Basubi, studies take a lot of time.
« We are doing the specialty work. These are not ordinary works. It will be necessary to do it with a lot of thoroughness », it was justified before the press.
The presidential visit to the construction sites began with the site of Pumping in the municipality of Ngaliema where the work may be completed at the end of September, according to estimates of the OVD.
« We first started with the soil studies that determined that the good soils where we should lay our foundation was 20 meters deep. And here we have already beaten feet to bear the foundations of the bridge. On 20 meters deep, 12 feet were built. To date, all work is now on the surface for the construction of the bridge abutments and bridge piers. At the workshop level, we have already manufactured 12 beams out of 18. So here at Pompage, we finish the flyover at the end of September », said Benjamin Wenga.
Among the pitfalls encountered by engineers, there are wetlands, proximity to homes, water pipes of the Water Board (REGIDESO) and cables of the National Electricity Company ( SNEL).
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For each work, the cost of the work varies between 1.2 million USD and 4 million USD. Under the terms of the contract between the government and the builders, the delivery of the grade separation was to take place three to four months after the start of the work. Four months later, this work progresses at a snail’s pace. Suddenly, the Congolese state is impatient.
A few hours ago, the spokesman of President Félix Tshisekedi announced that wherever work had not started yet, contracts could be terminated and funds returned to the Treasury account.
Many are waiting for the appreciation of the Head of State on the evolution of the construction of these works after this tour through the city of Kinshasa.
Apart from the Pumping site in the municipality of Ngaliema, the Sheepcrops are also announced on Lumumba Boulevard at its junction with Sendwe Boulevard at University Avenue; the intersection of Boulevard Triomphal and Kasa-Vubu at Cabus Bridge in Kasa-Vubu commune and others.
Olivier Kamo
